tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486Sun, 21 Dec 2014 05:21:35 +0000montgomery countycongress2014 primarydistrict 6marriage equalityjohn delaneyrob garagiolamartin o'malleyroscoe bartlettmaryland gopmaryland governordoug gansleranthony browndream actextremismtea partyredistrictingheather mizeurprince george's countyike leggettcivil libertiesben cardinlgbt rightsmike millergamblingdonna edwardsbarack obamareferendummaryland juiceattorney generalchris van hollencivil rightsbrian froshimmigrationmaryland demslabor unionsmarylanders for marriage equalitymcdccandy harrisken ulmanvalerie ervincorporate welfaredemocratic primarydoug duncandutch ruppersbergerjamie raskinspecial interestsstate senateboard of educationquestion 6alex mooneyhypocrisynativismsam arorapeter franchotsteny hoyerbaltimorebigotrymontgomery county executivesaqib alibrian feldmandavid brinkleydeath penaltyfop lodge 35jon cardinmarijuanayoung democratshouse of delegatesminimum wagequestion banthony musedistrict 15effects bargainingenvironmentequality marylandrobin fickerjohn sarbanesvacancyyouth votehoward countycomptrollerlockheed martinmilad pooran2012 senate2016barbara mikulskibill frickfrederick countypoll resultsquestion 4transportation fundingblaine youngelijah cummingsquestion 7washington postanne arundelcounty councilred marylandwhite housegeorge leventhalgun controlinternet freedomluiz simmonspurple linesmart growthspecial sessiondon dwyergenerational changekathy afzalinancy navarrocensorshipcurfewmd vs vasilver springimmigrant scape-goatingmceamillionaires taxphil andrewstiffany alstoncasadan bonginodistrict 1fred evansmedical marijuanamgmmike buschaisha braveboycasinodistrict 4kumar barvepolicerushern bakerseiutax avoidanceyoung demsaction committee for transitbaltimore countybobby zirkincorruptiondeportationfamily valuesjamie benoitjohn laferlaracismrebecca smondrowskireferendarich madalenorob sobhanirockvilleroger berlinerroger manno#jsaDINObob ehrlichcheryl kagancraig ricedemocratic partydiscriminationdistrict 19maryland jobspat mcdonoughprogressive caucussecure communitieswendy rosenOBAMACAREallan kittlemananti-tax hysteriabudget cutscordishcriminal justice reformdistrict 17early votingeric luedtkeicejim rosapepejolene iveylieutenant governormaryland marriage alliancemaryland senatemitt romneyprogressive marylandron littlestephanie rawlings-blaketom huckerxenophobia2012 prez raceafl-cioboard of electionscrony capitalismdan furmanskyduchy trachtenbergeducationgalen clagettmarc elrichmaryland houserockville councilsample ballotsheila hixsonteachersvoting rightsJoe Krysztoforskiaclubill clintoncampaign financecatholic churchdick laddgas taxglenn iveygreg hallkathleen dumaislatino voteleadershipliarmaryland vs virginiamcgeonancy jacobspospresidential raceprivacyprogressive taxationsteve deboytransgender rightstransitvoter turnout#occupylifeannapolisanne kaiserbaltimore red linebud otiscaesarscharles baileycorporate abusedavid moondebatesdemocratic conventiondistrict 20drunk drivingeconomic developmentgerrymanderinginnovationislamophobiajeanne ellinportjohn grassojudiciary committeejustin rosslarry hoganlcvnational harbornomnorm stonensaobamaocean citypgdccracereligious extremismrick meehansubversive artsusan leetakoma parktaxpayer wastetony o'donnellwar on drugsabortionandrew cuomoaruna millerbaltimore mayorbaltimore sunbob mcdonnellbonnie cullisonchris barclaydana beyerdemand progressdemographic changesdistrict 12district 2district 22district 24district 3district 5diversitydncfillmorefrackingfrank kratovilfundraisinghans riemerhoward deanidiotjerry boykinjim brochinjulius hensonmarylandmaryland legislaturemarylander of the yearnaacpnational organization for marriagenetrootsnews channel 8patchpatriot actpenn nationalpro-lifepublic financingquestion 5rollin stanleysmobsteve silvermanterry speignerwomen's voteamerican constitution societyana sol gutierrezausteritybaltimore councilben kramercasey andersoncctchris shankdark agesdavid fraser-hidalgodemocratic platformdistrict 16district 18due processevan glassfannie lou hamerflip-flopfox newsfrederickgazettegopherhack politicshate speechhispanic voteindependentsinterracial marriagejames malonejay hutchinsjeffrey slavinjohn leopoldjorge steven acunamass incarcerationmcpsmichael steelemoveonnancy kingnegative campaignnic kipkepension shiftpeople of colorplan marylandpro-choiceracial profilingreligious freedomrepublican primaryroll callron youngschool fundingsenate presidentsierra clubus housevoter suppressionwbffwomen's healthDOMAafrican american votealonzo washingtonbeach weekbus rapid transitcharles barkleycollective bargainingcopyright trollscostcocounty executivedavid craigdecriminalizationdefense spendingdeficitdisabilitiesdistrict 13doomsday budgeteastern shoreeducating maryland kidsethicsfred grandyfree speechgaithersburggouchergun rightshate crimehelp save marylandhillary clintonholocausthumanityjennie forehandkaren brittolisa gladdenlobbyingmajority leadermark uncaphermedia biasmelony griffithmorris pannermppimseamunicipal electionsnaralnathaniel mcfaddenndaanewt gingrichpeter smithphil kauffmanplanning boardpredator dronespresidential primaryrecidivismrick perryryan spiegelschool boardschool start timesshannon sneedslots for totsspeed camerastache actsurveillanceterrill northtim hwangtom mooreunderage drinkingwarren branchwayne gilchrestwind energyDLA piperadam meisterafscmeal carranti-semitismaolbaltimore citybeth dalybetrayalbilal ayyubbill fergusonblack liquorbob barkerbrendon ayanbadejobruce depuytbusiness regulationcapital sourcechairman mocochamber of commercechevy chaseclarence lamconflict of interestconspiracy theoriescorporate democratscourtney watsoncrimeculture of violencedavid sloandcccdeer huntdelegate bob costadoyle niemanndrug waremmett burns jrgaithersburg councilgooglehbohealth carehuman rightsiraniraq warjim robeyjim smithjohn astlejohn mccarthyjoseph Krysztoforskijoshua starrkatie o'malleykeiffer mitchellkensingtonkevin kamenetzkirk bloodsworthkojo nnamdikweisi mfumeliz bobolowesmac middletonmiddle east peacemike lenettmilestoneminority represenationminority representationnancy floreennancy pelosinutritionpaul ryanphoto enforcementpolice abuseprince of darknesspublic safetyravensredskinsrobocallrockville mayorsexismshadysidney katzsopastartupsstraw pollstudentssuicideswing statestalbot countyteacher pensionsterry liermantom pereztransparencytreasurytv adulysses curriewade kachwar fundingwill camposyoung families#courage2013 inauguration2013 primary2018 primary4th amendmentJEWS FOR JUSTICETOASTaaron swartzaberdeenabuse of poweraccessory apartmentsactivismadam pagnuccoadvance directive registryaffordable housingafghanistanagro industrial complexambulance feeamerican legionangela alsobrooksann corcoranannita seckingerapple ballotariana kellyaudrey scottbackwardsbaltimore portbarbara hueterbechtelbelinda conawaybill henrybiz markiebloggerbond ratingsboycottbroken promisesbryan voltaggiobuilding tradesbullyingcaircatherine pughcenter marylandcentristcherri bransonchief mangerchild abusechuck jenkinscispacollege parkcolm o'comartuncombined reportingcomcastconsumer compasscontraceptioncory mccraycourt of appealscowardscraig zuckercrazycurt andersondan snyderdaryl jonesdbeddelman coatesdemocratic governors associationderrick leon davisdevelopmentdgadickdinosaur politicsdisclosuredistrict 12adistrict 12bdistrict 14district 31district 39district 45district 8divisivedomestic disturbancedomestic violenceeli elellen sauerbreyempirical evidenceemployment discriminationendorsementseric wargotzestate taxexecutive payfamily farmsfeminismfight backfilmflashmobforward marylandfrank conaway srfrank gehryfree associationgaragiolaginger ramseygmoguy fawkesharriet tubmanherman caineherman taylorhhshocohomeland securityhouse of cardshuman rights campaigniPodiccindefinite detentionisraeljack johnsonjack youngjarrett smithjed millardjeff waldstreicherjewish votersjill carterjim degrangejim iretonjoan carter conwayjobsjoe bidenjoe steffenjoe vallariojohnny ojon gersonjosh kurtzjudicial nominationjulian bondjump the broomjustin readykal pennkaren montgomerykarl rovekeith ellisonkevin reigurtkim letkekirill reznikkoch brotherskyle liermanlanny davislawnsignslawsuitleague of women voterslegislative payleisure worldlen teitelbaumliberty movementlive nationmarice moralesmark shrivermary washingtonmccptamedicaremichael bloombergmichael wagnermichelle obamamike smigielmisogynymoco gopmolotovmontgomery collegeneil parrottno child left behindnoaanrany9o'malley's marchobesityofaorganicoriolespaid sick leavepatrick lacefieldpatrick mcgradypaul sarbanespepcopete fosselmanpeter angelospeter jamespetersonpfawpg countypipapj hoganplanned parenthoodpolitical pulsepollprogressive neighborsptapurple line nowquestion arace-baitingraperaul grijalvareal pg blogreproductive rightsrevenuerichie yarrowrightwing activismron paulroy dysonsarah bloom raskinseth grimesshacklingsinclair broadcast groupsocial justicesocialismstand your groundstudent loanssue hechtsupercommitteesweetlifesyriatalmadge branchterms and conditions may applythe fixthe wiretodd akintownhalltrayvon martintwittervan hollenverna jones-rodwellveteransvfwvictor ramirezvoluntary warvoucherswall street reformwalmartwarwealth gapweddingwest virginiawestern marylandyoung republicans#cleanslatemd#occupybaltimore#occupydavis#occupydc#occupyoakland#primaryhisass11999/119:30 clubBryan SimonaireDSKDominique Strauss-KahnErrol GilliardKarren Jo Pope-OnwukweMontgomery County Taxpayers LeaguePhyllis MarcuccioSONNY MINNICKShelly Hettlemanaaaaadmcaaron kaufmanabove the lawabsentee ballotsabsentee countaccountabilityacsadulteryadvertisingafiaids quiltal sharptonal wynnalex sanchezallegany countyallen westamazon.comamerica onlineamericans for prosperityamtrakandrew duckandrew feldmanandrew plattandyandy fellowsangela mccaskillannie linskeyanonymousanonymous attacksanonymous juiceanti-miscegnationapolitical juiceariana huffingtonarianna huffingtonarianna kellyarsenicarthur hockassholeastroturfat largeaustraliabackstabberbad policymakingbaltimore rock opera societybank transfer daybaptistbarbara arnwinebarney frankben feshbachben jealousbeverley swaim-staleybig brotherbike sharebikesharebill bronrottbill colebirch bayhbirtherblair high schoolblanche devereauxblue dogsboard of county commissionersboard of public worksboardwalk empirebob marleybone marrowbonusesbottled waterbowiebrad botwinbrandon rippeonbriberybrooke liermanbrtbruce bereanobuilding heightsburger kingbwicage freecapitalscash on handcathal armstrongcatherine leggettcathy drzyzgulacatoccancecil calvertcentral committeechairychangecharles jenkinscharles lollarcharlotte crutchfieldcheatercheryl glennchestertownchief moosechik-fil-achild hungerchinachipotlechiranjeevichlamydiachris baileychris cillizzachris kluwechristian johanssonchuck norriscircuit courtcitizenscity councilclimate changecoloradocommittee for montgomerycommon causecompassion and choicesconagraconsumer rightscorcorancorporal punishmentcouncil presidentcourtney watsomcraigslistcredit unionscromnibuscyclical behaviordadtdagadaily kosdamascusdanette howarddarren swaindavid copperfielddavid drakedavid harringtondavid lublindavid murrarydavid simondc earthquakedc suburbsdee dee myersdemocratic attorneys general associationdemocratic womens pacdennis kucinichderick davisdesperate housewivesdirect maildirty tricksdisplaced workersdistrict 10district 11district 23bdistrict 26district 30district 30adistrict 30bdistrict 31adistrict 32district 42district 47district 7district 9Bdistrict 9adistrict of columbiadistrit 26dkmsdllrdnado anything say anything to windo the right thingdouble-standarddoug tallmandoug wilderdrillingdwiearthquakeebooksed degrangeed kasemeyered reillyedward burroughsedward snowdenej dionneej pipkinelection nightelectoral collegeelizabeth warrenemergency contact informationemily ann meyeremily shettyemily's listemmet davittempemployee of the yearenlightenederic cantoreric hensaleric knowleseric olsonessenceethan sayloreuropeeva longoriaeventevilexcommunicatedfacebookfair usefairness for all actfairvotefamily lifefarrell keoughfavorfinding northfire and rescuefirefightersfisaflash mobfloridaflotusfood poisoningfood safety actfoodieforeign policyfrank mirabilefrank turnerfrederick mayorfree rangefreedom of speechfuerza brutafurloughsgail batesgail ewinggallaudetgangnam stylegarrett countygary williamsgendergeorge w. bushgeorge willgeraldine valentino-smithgino rennegiver statesgleeglen burniegonzales researchgotcha politicsgotvgov 2.0government reformgovernment wastegreenbeltgregg bernsteingrinchgrover norquistguled kassimgulliblegus baumangustavo torresguy guzzonegwendolyn britthabeas corpushackshagerstown herald-mailhalloweenhamza khanharry reidharvey reiterhashtagshassan giordanohatehatredhattie hattersonhb1249hbcuheight limitshelen holtonhenry cisneroshenry marraffahighway subsidieshispanic chamberhispanic democratic clubhitehoco executivehomelesshormone freehorse racinghousing markethuffington posthummerhurricane irenehurricane sandyi270ibewibpoignoring scienceinaugural ballindependent expendituresindiaindividual rightsinequalityinfrastructure spendinginner harborinvestmarylandiowa democratsip reformiqit gets betterjah-hahajames andersonjames brochinjames kraftjanet napolitanojanet siddiquijanitorsjason juddjason mrazjay-zjeremiah wrightjerkjerry moranjesse jacksonjewish community relations counciljim clyburnjim gilchristjim mathiasjimmie's chicken shackjoan prattjoanne bensonjohn breauxjohn brittonjohn giannettijohn lewisjohn mannesjohn monsifjohn podestajonathan prutowjoseph gettyjoseph lynn kitchenjosh whitejournalismjstreetjubileejud ashmanjudge arnickkaren youngkate stewartken mehlmanken salazarken timmermankenefick communicationskevin kellykevin macdonaldkevin mackkeystone pipelinekid cudikieffer mitchellkipkekisha brownkrist novoseliclack of common senselaura berthiaumelaurie-anne sayleslawn signsleadership montgomeryles miserablesleslie johnsonlibertarianlife in a daylinda lamonelisa biancolive chatllc loopholelocally sourcedloiteringlori askinaziloudmouthlove boatlow turnoutlynne battagliamaddmadeline albrightmaggie mcintoshmarc kormanmarleymarriage for marylandmarriotmartin cadoganmartin luther king jrmary ellen barberamary kanemary kay sigatymary pat clarkemaryland black family alliancemaryland pscmaryland reportermbbwlmd casemdjuicemdotmedicaidmel franklinmelinda ulloamelvin stukesmememerriweathermeyer marksmichael bennettmichael chertoffmichael sesmamichael williamsmicro-targetingmike knappmike mccurrymike philipsmike tabormike wagnermilitary industrial complexminority whipmisdemeanormisleadingmissing childmmlmobbiesmodern day warriormoniquemontgomery county bar associationmorgan state universitymortgage interest deductionmotherhoodmothers daymsbamsmmtvmudcatmuslimmustachemustardnaagnatali faninational association of attorneys generalnational gay and lesbian task forcenational geographicnativistnazi referencendnneaneda bolourianneoconsnew democratsnewspaper industrynflnick mosbynicolee ambrosenikenirvanano representation without population actnordstromnorm conwaynorman rockwellnorth carolinanpro'say can you seeoccupyodette ramosold fashionedomboppo researchosama bin ladenoscar de la hoyaoysterspam beidleparentspartisan bickeringparty bosspatricia fenatipaul besselpaul drgospaul pinskypaypalpcccpee wee hermanpee wee's playhousepepper sprayperez hiltonperson of yearpgcpsphoto radarpirate partypit bullspolling locationspollutionpork barrelpovertypreaknesspreemptive warpreexisting conditionpregnancyprison industrial complexprison reformprogresspsypublic interestrace to bottomradiorafael alonzoraheela ahmedraidingrallyrandallstownrandy mcclementray ricerealtorsrebecca lordrecallrecessionrecountredemptionregressive taxreince priebusrestaurant everichard colburnrichard impallariarick kesslerrick santorumright to dieright to serverobert bellrobert curranrochelle rikki spectorromneyron georgeron halberronnie galvinroscoe nixrose krasnowrush limbaughrussel simmonsrussell neverdonrussiasalisburysally jamesonsame sex benefitssamuel jacksonsandra flukesarah palinsarah silvermanscandalscare tacticsschool mealsschool of americasscott walkerseattlesecessionsenioritysentencing reformseparation of church and statesepticservice deliverysesame streetseth hurwitzsexsexual harassmentshakirashane robinsonshare our strengthsharon green middletonshaun donovanshirley brandmanshitshowsilent majoritysilver linesister helen prejeanslapped awakeslateslaveryslutwalksmall businesssnipersocial securitysomersetspeakerspecial electionsportssprawlspyingstate policestate troopersstephen fullerstephen hersheysteve kagensteve schuhsteven deboystreet muralssubversive advertisingsuitlandsuper pacsupreme courtsusan g. komensusan hoffmansuvswing voterssxswtaker statestamika bennetttaxpayers protection alliancetechdirtted leonsistemporaryterrorismterry seamensthe manticketmastertim perrytim whitehousetimetodd eberlytodd schulertom coaletom collichiotom harkintony chmeliktop cheftorrey smithtort reformtorturetowsontrash danceturnouttwerkinguniversity of marylandveronica turnervetovetpacvice presidentvicki almondvivian malloyvolunteervoter fraudvoter guidewackjobward 5washington countywashington jewish weekwashington timeswasteways and meanswe the people mdwelfarewelfare queenwesley clarkwestboro baptistwestern montgomerywestfieldwhite voterswill mcdonaldwillie hortonwineworcester countyworkforce housingworking families partywrite-inx-ppacyoutubeyvette lewismaryland juiceOpinion, news, gossip and politics.http://www.marylandjuice.com/noreply@blogger.com (David Moon)Blogger1318125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-6119605359094895743Sat, 20 Dec 2014 18:51:00 +00002014-12-21T00:21:35.216-05:00chris van hollencorporate welfarecromnibusdonna edwardseconomic developmentelijah cummingselizabeth warrenhouse of delegatesjohn sarbanesmike buschpurple linewall street reformwhite houseHouse of Delegates Committee Rosters, MD Congressmen Split on Cromnibus & Business Leaders Launch Purple Line Effort<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Friends, this may be one of the final few "Juiceblenders" I publish before being sworn into the General Assembly in January. After that, I plan to turn over curation of this blog to a handful of new Juicers. This would be an all-volunteer project and a potentially time-consuming labor of love, but if you're a progressive Maryland politico who might be interested in joining the team, shoot me a note at david---(AT)---marylandjuice.com, and I can explain what this'll entail. In the meantime, I have a few interesting updates for politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL BUSCH ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: MD JUICE CONSTRUCTS FULL LISTS OF NEW ROSTERS</b></u> - Below we publish a press release from the Speaker's office highlighting which committees the 58 incoming Freshman Delegates will serve on. Note that the press release only indicates where the new members are headed and where incumbents who are changing committees are headed. As a result, below the Speaker's press release, I've constructed lists of each committee's full membership that includes the incumbents staying put alongside the new committee members.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><center>PRESS RELEASE<br /><br /><b>SPEAKER BUSCH ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS</b></center><br /><b>ANNAPOLIS, MD</b> – House Speaker Michael E. Busch today announced committee assignments for six standing committees in the House of Delegates.&nbsp; In the upcoming session, Appropriations will have 26 members, Health &amp; Government Operations and Economic Matters each will have 24, and Environmental Matters, Ways &amp; Means and Judiciary will have 22 members. <br /><br />The committees are balanced to reflect the demographic, geographic and party makeup of the legislature. <br /><br />The following Delegates and Delegates-elect were appointed today.&nbsp; Delegates not included on this list will maintain their current committee assignments. <br /><br /><b>APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE</b><br />Delegate Aruna Miller (District 15)<br />Delegate Benjamin S. Barnes (District 21)<br />Delegate-elect Brooke Lierman (District 46)<br />Delegate-elect Patrick Young (District 44B)<br />Delegate-elect Shelly Hettleman (District 11)<br />Delegate-elect Mark Chang (District 32)<br />Delegate-elect Marc Korman (District 16)<br />Delegate-elect Michael Jackson (District 27B)<br />Delegate-elect Carol Krimm (District 3A)<br />Delegate Andrew Serafini (Delegate 2A)<br />Delegate-elect Jeff Ghrist (District 36)<br />Delegate-elect Michael McKay (District 1C)<br />Delegate-elect Mary Beth Carozza (District 38C)<br />Delegate-elect David Vogt (District 4)<br />Delegate-elect Robin Grammer (District 6)<br /><br /><b>ECONOMIC MATTERS COMMITTEE</b><br />Delegate Luke Clippinger (District 46)<br />Delegate Kris Valderamma (District 26)<br />Delegate C. William Frick (District 16)<br />Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher (District 18)<br />Delegate Talmadge Branch (District 45)<br />Delegate C.T. Wilson (District 26)<br />Delegate-elect Mary Ann Lisanti (District 34A)<br />Delegate-elect Ned Carey (District 31A)<br />Delegate-elect Benjamin Brooks (District 10)<br />Delegate Mark Fisher (District 27C)<br />Delegate Steve Arentz (District 36)<br />Delegate-elect Christopher Adams (District 37B)<br />Delegate-elect Seth Howard (District 30B)<br />Delegate-elect Johnny Mautz (District 37B)<br /><br /><b>ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE</b><br />Delegate Kathy Szeliga (Delegate 7)<br />Delegate-elect Tony Knotts (Delegate 26)<br />Delegate-elect Clarence Lam (District 12)<br />Delegate-elect Cory McCray (District 45)<br />Delegate-elect Carl Anderton (District 38B)<br />Delegate-elect Andrew Cassilly (District 35B )<br />Delegate-elect Robert Flanagan (District 9B)<br /><br /><b>HEALTH &amp; GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE</b><br />Delegate Herb McMillan (District 30A)<br />Delegate-elect Antonio Hayes (District 40)<br />Delegate-elect Angela Angel (District 25)<br />Delegate-elect Erek Barron (District 24)<br />Delegate-elect Terri Hill (District 12)<br />Delegate-elect Sheree Sample-Hughes (37A)<br />Delegate-elect Karen Young (District 3A)<br />Delegate-elect Matt Morgan (District 29A)<br />Delegate-elect Sid Saab (District 33)<br />Delegate-elect Christian Miele (District 8)<br />Delegate-elect Chris West (District 42B)<br /><br /><b>JUDICIARY COMMITTEE</b><br />Delegate-elect Will Campos (District 47B)<br />Delegate-elect Will Smith (District 20)<br />Delegate-elect David Moon (District 20)<br />Delegate-elect Marice Morales (District 19)<br />Delegate-elect Vanessa Atterbeary (District 13)<br />Delegate-elect Charles Sydnor (District 44B)<br />Delegate-elect Jay Jalisi (District 10)<br />Delegate-elect Deb Rey (District 29B)<br />Delegate-elect Brett Wilson (District 2B)<br />Delegate-elect Trent Kittleman (District 9A)<br />Delegate-elect William Folden (District 3B)<br /><br /><b>WAYS &amp; MEANS COMMITTEE</b><br />Delegate Mary Washington (District 43)<br />Delegate-elect Andrew Platt (District 17)<br />Delegate-elect Eric Ebersole (District 12)<br />Delegate-elect Darryl Barnes (District 25)<br />Delegate-elect Diana Fennell (District 15)<br />Delegate-elect Jimmy Tarlau (District 47A)<br />Delegate-elect Edith Patterson (District 26)<br />Delegate-elect Bob Long (District 6)<br />Delegate-elect Ric Metzgar (District 6)<br />Delegate-elect Jason Buckel (District 1B)<br />Delegate-elect Meagan Simonaire (District 31B)<br />Delegate-elect Haven Shoemaker (District 5)<br />Delegate-elect Kevin Hornberger (District 35A)<br />Delegate-elect Teresa Reilly (District 35B)<br /><br /><center>###</center></blockquote><br />The lists above do not tell you what the full memberships of the new committees will look like, so I went ahead and tried to compile this information. If you see any errors, please email me at david---(AT)---marylandjuice.com.<br /><ul><u><b>JUDICIARY</b></u><br />1. Joe Vallario (D)<br />2. Kathleen Dumais (D)<br />3. Curt Anderson (D<br />4. Jill Carter (D)<br />5. Frank Conaway, Jr. (D)<br />6. Sandy Rosenberg (D)<br />7. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D)<br />8. Will Campos (D)<br />9. Will Smith (D)<br />10. David Moon (D)<br />11. Marice Morales (D)<br />12. Vanessa Atterbeary (D)<br />13. Charles Sydnor (D)<br />14. Jay Jalisi (D)<br />15. Deb Rey (R)<br />16. Brett Wilson (R)<br />17. Trent Kittleman (R)<br />18. William Folden (R)<br />19. Glen Glass (R)<br />20. John Cluster, Jr. (R)<br />21. Susan McComas (R)<br />22. Neil Parrott (R)<br /><br /><u><b>WAYS AND MEANS</b></u><br />1. Sheila Hixson (D)<br />2. Frank Turner (D)<br />3. Carolyn Howard (D)<br />4. Anne Kaiser (D)<br />5. Eric Luedtke (D)<br />6. Jay Walker (D)<br />7. Alonzo Washington (D)<br />8. Mary Washington (D)<br />9. Andrew Platt (D)<br />10. Eric Ebersole (D)<br />11. Darryl Barnes (D)<br />12. Diana Fennell (D)<br />13. Jimmy Tarlau (D)<br />14. Edith Patterson (D)<br />15. Kathy Afzali (R)<br />16. Bob Long (R)<br />17. Ric Metzgar (R)<br />18. Jason Buckel (R)<br />19. Meagan Simonaire (R)<br />20. Haven Shoemaker (R)<br />21. Kevin Hornberger (R)<br />22. Teresa Reilly (R)<br /><br /><u><b>APPROPRIATIONS</b></u><br />1. Maggie McIntosh (D)<br />2. James Proctor (D)<br />3. Tawanna Gaines (D)<br />4. Ana Sol Gutierrez (D)<br />5. Keith Haynes (D)<br />6. Adrienne Jones (D)<br />7. Barbara Robinson (D)<br />8. Ted Sophocleus (D)<br />9. Craig Zucker (D)<br />10. Aruna Miller (D)<br />11. Ben Barnes (D)<br />12. Brooke Lierman (D)<br />13. Pat Young (D)<br />14. Shelly Hettleman (D)<br />15. Mark Chang (D)<br />16. Marc Korman (D)<br />17. Michael Jackson (D)<br />18. Carol Krimm (D)<br />19. Andrew Serafini (R)<br />20. Jeff Ghrist (R)<br />21. Michael McKay (R)<br />22. Mary Beth Carozza (R)<br />23. David Vogt (R)<br />24. Robin Grammer (R)<br />25. Wendell Beitzel (R)<br />26. Tony McConkey (R)<br /><u><b><br />ECONOMIC MATTERS</b></u><br />1. Dereck Davis (D)<br />2. Charles Barkley (D)<br />3. Cheryl Glenn (D)<br />4. Sally Jameson (D)<br />5. Ben Kramer (D)<br />6. Michael Vaughn (D)<br />7. Luke Clippinger (D)<br />8. Kris Valderamma (D)<br />9. Bill Frick (D)<br />10. Jeff Waldstreicher (D)<br />11. Talmadge Branch (D)<br />12. C.T. Wilson (D)<br />13. Mary Ann Lisanti (D)<br />14. Ned Carey (D)<br />15. Ben Brooks (D)<br />16. Susan Aumann (R)<br />17. Richard Impallaria (R)<br />18. Warren Miller (R)<br />19. Kelly Schulz (R)<br />20. Mark Fisher (R)<br />21. Steve Arentz (R)<br />22. Christopher Adams (R)<br />23. Seth Howard (R)<br />24. Johnny Mautz (R)<br /><br /><u><b>ENVIRONMENT &amp; TRANSPORTATION</b></u><br />1. Kumar Barve (D)<br />2. Pam Beidle (D)<br />3. Al Carr (D)<br />4. David Fraser-Hidalgo (D)<br />5. Barbara Frush (D)<br />6. Jim Gilchrist (D)<br />7. Anne Healey (D)<br />8. Marvin Holmes (D)<br />9. Stephen Lafferty (D)<br />10. Shane Robinson (D)<br />11. Dana Stein (D)<br />12. Tony Knotts (D)<br />13. Clarence Lam (D)<br />14. Cory McCray (D)<br />15. Jay Jacobs (R)<br />16. Tony O'Donnell (R)<br />17. Charles Otto (R)<br />18. Cathy Vitale (R)<br />19. Kathy Szeliga (R)<br />20. Carl Anderton (R)<br />21. Andrew Cassilly (R)<br />22. Bob Flanagan (R)<br /><br /><u><b>HEALTH &amp; GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS </b></u><br />1. Pete Hammen (D)<br />2. Shane Pendergrass (D)<br />3. Eric Bromwell (D)<br />4. Bonnie Cullison (D)<br />5. Ariana Kelly (D)<br />6. Dan Morhaim (D)<br />7. Nathaniel Oaks (D)<br />8. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D)<br />9. Kirill Reznik (D)<br />10. Antonio Hayes (D)<br />11. Angela Angel (D)<br />12. Erek Barron (D)<br />13. Terri Hill (D)<br />14. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D)<br />15. Karen Young (D)<br />16. Herb McMillan (R)<br />17. Nicholaus Kipke (R)<br />18. Susan Krebs (R)<br />19. Pat McDonough (R)<br />20. Justin Ready (R)<br />21. Matt Morgan (R)<br />22. Sid Saab (R)<br />23. Christian Miele (R)<br />24. Chris West (R)</ul><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: MARYLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SPLITS OVER CROMNIBUS BUDGET VOTE // WALL STREET WELFARE VS. PASSING A FEDERAL BUDGET?</b></u> - Last week, members of Congress came dazzlingly close to not passing a budget. But in contrast to past instances of budget showdowns, it was liberal members of Congress (spearheaded by Senator Elizabeth Warren and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi) joined by conservative budget hawks, who were raising a ruckus. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/12/16/elizabeth-warren-flirt-with-presidential-run/E1lLzCT954dKUmCG5t4PvO/story.html"><i>The Boston Globe</i> provided a summary of what went down</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BOSTON GLOBE</b></u>: Last week in Washington was supposed to go like this: The House and Senate would each introduce a $1.1 trillion spending bill to keep the government running through September; Senator Ted Cruz would briefly seize the spotlight with his diva routine; then both houses would pass their respective bills and go home....<br /><br />Evidently, no one consulted Elizabeth Warren. You’d think by now they would have learned. Warren objected to two provisions slipped into the bill at the last moment. One increased by tenfold the amount of money rich donors can give to party committees. The other unwound a part of the Dodd-Frank financial reforms forbidding banks from gambling on risky swaps using government-guaranteed accounts. Appallingly, as Mother Jones revealed, Citigroup lobbyists wrote the language gutting this protection, a change that will directly benefit the bank.<br /><br />Warren’s election to the Senate coincided with a change in the way the institution operates that she has masterfully exploited. In the days before crises and shutdowns were standard, senators exerted influence through legislation. But Congress has all but stopped legislating. The current one has passed the fewest bills in 60 years. Today, the senators most effective at influencing the national debate are not Old Bulls like Ted Kennedy but younger figures like Cruz and Warren whose ability to communicate clear, powerful ideas resonates with the public....</blockquote>Interestingly, <a href="http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2014/roll563.xml">Maryland's Congressional Delegation split in half over this vote</a>, with 50% of Maryland House Representative's supporting the budget, and 50% opposing it. The overall vote in the U.S. House was 219-206, and here's how Maryland members voted:<br /><br /><u><b>YES ON CROMINBUS</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Rep. John Delaney (D) </li><li>Rep. Andy Harris (R)</li><li>Rep. Steny Hoyer (D)</li><li>Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D)</li></ol><u><b>NO ON CROMNIBUS</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Rep. Elijah Cummings </li><li>Rep. Donna Edwards</li><li>Rep. John Sarbanes </li><li>Rep. Chris Van Hollen</li></ol>If you want to hear more about the reason for the split on this vote, you can listen to Sen. Elizabeth Warren's floor speech decrying giving more power to big banks like Citigroup:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DJpTxONxvoo" width="640"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: MARYLAND BUSINESS LEADERS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE PURPLE LINE</b><b> // READ THEIR LETTER TO GOVERNOR-ELECT LARRY HOGAN</b></u> - With Governor-elect Larry Hogan's stance on the Purple Line coming down soon, Maryland business leaders have launched an effort to make the case for the project. Indeed, maintaining a predictable business environment, creating thousands of new jobs, and bringing millions in investment to Maryland are all goals pegged to keeping the light rail project on track. Below we publish a letter recently sent by business leaders to Mr. Hogan:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Dear Governor-Elect Hogan:<br /><br />We are the Economic Partners of the Purple Line, a coalition of developers and business groups working in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. <b>We are writing to you in support of the Purple Line light rail project. </b>Many of us have been Purple Line advocates for over the last two decades, and we would like to meet with you to discuss this project’s overwhelming economic benefits to our businesses, our local communities, and the State of Maryland.<br /><br />After many years of hard work and planning, the Purple Line is almost ready for construction, which is scheduled to begin in 2015. <b>Cancelling or delaying this project at this late stage would have drastic consequences, including the loss of almost $1 billion in federal funding and approximately $170 million in state funds that have already been spent on engineering and right-of-way acquisition.</b><br /><br />The federal funds come from the Federal Transit Administration’s “New Starts” program, and thus cannot be used for anything other than the Purple Line light rail project. If the project is delayed or canceled, these federal funds may instead fund another transit project in a different state. In fact, Congress recently approved a budget deal immediately appropriating $100 million for the Purple Line, which the state would have to repay if the project does not go forward. Furthermore, because of the “lockbox” amendment, for which many of us advocated, the Purple Line funds already programmed in the State’s CTP can <i>only</i> be used for transportation.<br /><br />This transit project connecting Maryland’s first-ring suburbs will generate economic activity that far exceeds the initial investment of $2.45 billion in federal, state, and private dollars. It is projected to carry over 70,000 riders a day along its 16 mile alignment, and will connect Metro’s Red, Green, and Orange lines as well as MARC and local bus services. Essentially, it will function as an expansion of the Metro system at much less cost. Some of the economic benefits this transit enhancement will generate include the following:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>According to a 2014 study by the American Public Transportation Association, <b>roughly every $1 billion spent on transit generates $3.7 billion in economic activity.</b> Between 2003 and 2013, the expansion of Dallas’ light rail system generated $7.4 billion in additional activity, in return for the $4.7 billion investment—this represents a ROI of 157%.&nbsp;</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Increasingly, residents want to locate or live near transit, and this preference is reflected in higher rental rates and land values.</b> Attracting and retaining these younger, professional residents who want to live in urbanizing, transit-oriented neighborhoods is essential to growing our local economy.&nbsp;</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Purple Line will bring jobs to Maryland by making this area more competitive in the increasingly challenging market for federal agencies and private employers. </b>For example, Prince George’s and Fairfax Counties are currently vying for the new FBI headquarters, which would bring 11,000 federal jobs to Maryland.&nbsp;</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Purple Line will be delivered as a public-private partnership, leveraging between $500-900 million in private funding for the project.</b> Because the project will be financed, designed, built, operated, and maintained privately, this arrangement will allow for cost savings as a result of multiple efficiencies in labor management, materials, and scheduling. The fact that four multinational consortia, each consisting of several major construction and engineering firms, are bidding on the Purple Line is a strong&nbsp; indication of the project’s strength and viability.&nbsp;</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Purple Line will better connect the researchers and students at the University of Maryland with the employers in Silver Spring and Bethesda— two of the state’s major job centers.</b></li></ul>As you know, success in real estate and business requires long-term strategic thinking. Accordingly, many of our companies have made significant investments and business decisions in reliance on the expectation that the Purple Line would be built after so many years of intensive, detailed study. Thousands of hours have been spent scrutinizing and debating a variety of transit options and routes, and the plan that is now moving forward has been thoroughly vetted by community groups, developers, businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the four finalists bidding on the Purple Line have spent tens of millions of dollars preparing their proposals in response to the Maryland Transit Administration’s RFP process.<br /><br />We are eager to work with you to ensure the project is delivered cost-effectively, and that the opportunity for transit-oriented development around the stations is maximized. <b>However, halting this project at the eleventh hour would further undermine business confidence in Maryland—and we know this is exactly the opposite of your intention. </b></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;">In Northern Virginia, business leaders successfully rallied to help secure the funding and construction of the Silver Line, which will bring enormous economic benefits to Tysons Corner and Reston. The existing road network inside Maryland’s Capital Beltway is essentially “built out,” so even if we wished to expand it significantly we would be unable to do so—which means that our innermost suburbs cannot continue to grow or compete with Virginia unless we expand our transit capacity. <b>We are one state, and the continued prosperity and economic vitality of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties benefit all of Maryland.</b><br /><br />We sincerely congratulate you on your victory, and share your goals of improving the state’s business climate, growing our economy, and putting Marylanders to work. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss how the Purple Line can help achieve these goals.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Thomas S. Bozzuto, Chairman and CEO<br />The Bozzuto Group<br /><br />Rob Bindeman, President<br />Landmark Realty, Inc.<br /><br />Chris Bruch, President and COO<br />The Donohoe Companies<br /><br />Desiree A. Callender, President<br />Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS<br /><br />Oliver Carr III, CEO<br />Carr Properties<br /><br />John F. Collich, Senior Vice President<br />B.F. Saul Company<br /><br />Robert O. Eisinger, Managing Member<br />ProMark Real Estate Services LLC<br /><br />Thomas M. Farasy, President<br />Purple Rail Alliance, Inc.<br /><br />Doug Firstenberg, Principal<br />StonebridgeCarras<br /><br />Greg Ford, President<br />Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS<br /><br />Georgette Godwin, President and CEO<br />Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce<br /><br />Evan Goldman, Vice President<br />Federal Realty Investment Trust<br /><br />David Harrington, President and CEO<br />Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce<br /><br />Lori Graf, Chief Executive Officer<br />Maryland Building Industry Association<br /><br />Charles A. Irish, Jr., President<br />VIKA Maryland, LLC<br /><br />Ginanne Italiano, President and CEO<br />The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce<br /><br />Rich Jordan, Senior Vice President<br />The JBG Companies<br /><br />David Kitchens, Principal<br />Cooper Carry<br /><br />Bruce H. Lee, President<br />Lee Development Group<br /><br />Sally T. Modjeska, Executive Director<br />NAIOP Maryland/DC Chapter<br /><br />Charles K. Nulsen III, President<br />Washington Property Company<br /><br />Richard Parsons, Vice Chair<br />Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance<br /><br />Jane Redicker, President and CEO<br />Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce<br /><br />Thomas L. Regnell, President and CEO<br />The Chevy Chase Land Company<br /><br />Stacy Spann, Executive Director<br />The Housing Opportunities Commission<br /><br />Bob Youngentob, President<br />EYA</div></blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/12/house-of-delegates-committee-rosters-md.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3497660568336217590Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:06:00 +00002014-11-19T14:07:16.940-05:002018 primarydoug ganslerhouse of delegateslarry hoganmike buschpublic financingJUICE: Speaker Mike Busch Announces New Maryland House Leadership, Gansler Heads to Firm & Hogan for Public Finance?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides some post-election updates regarding leadership shuffles in Annapolis and more:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: MEET THE NEW DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES</b></u> - Due to retirements and election losses, the House of Delegates was bound to go through a reshuffling of leadership and committee assignments. Speaker Mike Busch just sent out the following press release announcing some of the changes: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><center><b>SPEAKER BUSCH ANNOUNCES <br />NEW COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS</b></center></blockquote></div><blockquote><b>ANNAPOLIS, MD</b> – House Speaker Michael E. Busch today announced his first round of leadership appointments following the 2014 general election.&nbsp;&nbsp; Speaker Busch describes the group collectively as “the right additions to the existing House leadership team to help move us forward into the coming term.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He adds, “We are fortunate to have such a talented group of individuals to help lead the House.”&nbsp;&nbsp; Speaker Busch plans to announce additional leadership appointments and committee moves in the coming weeks.<br /><br /><b>Delegate Maggie McIntosh (Baltimore City, D43) will become Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.</b>&nbsp;&nbsp; Delegate McIntosh has chaired the Environmental Matters Committee since 2003, but served on the Appropriations Committee early on in her legislative career.&nbsp; Said Speaker Busch, “Maggie McIntosh is one of the most well respected leaders in Annapolis and I have total confidence in her ability to manage the myriad of subjects that fall within the jurisdiction of the committee, most importantly legislative review and oversight of the State’s annual budget.&nbsp; She is the right person to take the lead on budget issues as we continue to provide critical services to the citizens of our State and to use our resources to foster a growing economy.”&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Delegate Kumar Barve (Montgomery County, D17) will become the Chairman of the newly designated Environment &amp; Transportation Committee (formerly Environmental Matters).&nbsp;</b>&nbsp; Moving forward, transportation policy issues will be consolidated within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction.&nbsp;&nbsp; Delegate Barve has served as Majority Leader since 2003 and prior to that served on the House Economic Matters Committee under then-Chairman Busch.&nbsp; He currently sits on the Ways and Means Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp; Said Speaker Busch, “Delegate Barve has demonstrated time and time again his command of complex issues and he is a natural choice of someone to guide State environment and transportation policy.”&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Delegate Adrienne Jones (Baltimore County, D10) will remain Speaker Pro Tem and will now oversee State higher education policy as Chairman of the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee in the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b> Delegate Jones was Busch’s first appointment as a newly elected Speaker in 2003.&nbsp;&nbsp; Said Speaker Busch, “Delegate Jones is one of the most versatile leaders in the House.&nbsp; She is a consensus builder and an extremely hard worker.&nbsp; With job growth and economic development at the forefront of our agenda in the coming term, I can think of no better person to lead on policy and budget issues related to our system of higher education.”&nbsp;&nbsp; Delegate Jones will also continue to serve as the Chairman of the Capital Budget Subcommittee.<br /><br />Having served as an instrumental member of the Ways and Means Committee since 2003 and as the Chair of the Education Subcommittee since 2007, <b>Delegate Anne R. Kaiser (Montgomery County, D14) has been appointed as the Majority Leader.</b>&nbsp; Delegate Kaiser will also maintain her roles on the Ways and Means Committee. “Anne Kaiser has worked tirelessly for the House Democratic Caucus and demonstrated leadership capabilities on crucial legislative priorities,” said Speaker Busch. <br /><br /><b>Assuming the role of Vice Chairman of the Environment and Transportation Committee will be Delegate Dana Stein (Baltimore County, D11).</b>&nbsp;&nbsp; Stein was first elected to the House in 2006 and serves on the Environmental Matters Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp; Said Speaker Busch, “Delegate Stein is a thoughtful legislator whose considerable knowledge and even temperament make him an ideal choice for Vice Chairman.”<br /><br /><b>Delegate Sally Jameson (Charles County, D28) will become Vice Chairman of the Economic Matters Committee.&nbsp;</b>&nbsp; Delegate Jameson is a long-time member of the Committee (since 2003) and is known for her work on energy issues.&nbsp;&nbsp; Said Speaker Busch, “Delegate Jameson brings a business background and a pragmatic approach to the important workforce and economic development issues handled in the Economic Matters Committee.” <br /><br /><b>Delegate Marvin Holmes (Prince George’s County, D23B) will become Chairman of the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics.&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;&nbsp; Delegate Holmes has been a member of the House since 2003 and has served in a number of leadership roles.&nbsp;&nbsp; “Delegate Holmes is a model public servant and a person of great integrity.&nbsp;&nbsp; He is the clear choice to Chair this important committee,” said Speaker Busch.<br /><br /><b>Delegate James Proctor (Prince Georges and Charles Counties, D27A), Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, will remain in that role and also assume the House Chairmanship of the Spending Affordability Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b>&nbsp; The Committee plays a critical role in the budgeting process as it annually establishes State spending guidelines based on current and projected economic conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp; Said Speaker Busch, “Delegate Proctor’s commitment to public service and his budgetary experience is unparalleled and I look forward to his continued leadership in this new role.”<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"># # #&nbsp;</div></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG GANSLER TO BECOME PARTNER AT DC LAW FIRM</b></u> - Doug Gansler will wait out the next four years until the 2018 cycle as a partner at a downtown law firm. He announced the move in a press release yesterday (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><center><b>Attorney General Doug Gansler Announces Post-Term Plans</b></center><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Law firm partnership fits with AG’s extensive litigation experience</i></div><br />Baltimore, MD (Nov. 18, 2014) – Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that he will be joining the law firm, BuckleySandler LLP, when he completes his second term as Maryland Attorney General on January 12, 2015. AG Gansler will step into BuckleySandler as a Partner in its Washington, DC office where he will play a leading role in the firm’s government enforcement and litigation practices. The former President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) will also assist firm clients in complying with and managing increased regulatory expectations on issues ranging from consumer protection to cybersecurity and privacy.&nbsp; <br /><br />“I am extremely proud of the great things we’ve been able to accomplish during my eight years as Maryland’s Attorney General,” said Attorney General Gansler. “I will be leaving this office satisfied that our efforts made a positive impact on Maryland and across the country.”<br /><br />“Joining BuckleySandler gives me the opportunity to practice law with longtime friends at one of the nation’s preeminent litigation and enforcement law firms. I am looking forward to putting those years of litigation experience to work on a regular basis.”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMERS SEE OPPORTUNITY IN HOGAN WIN</b></u> - This week Common Cause MD and Progressive MD convened campaign finance reformers for a panel discussion in Silver Spring, MD. Speaking toward the opportunities to tackle the problem of money-in-politics were gubernatorial candidate Heather Mizeur, Congressman John Sarbanes, Montgomery Councilmember Phil Andrews, and Delegate Eric Luedtke. The packed house heard interesting commentary indicating reformers are hopeful that incoming Governor Larry Hogan (who is the first candidate to win a Governor's race with public financing) may embrace their cause:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oY_9TbjNII/VGzNtXfxNTI/AAAAAAAAHss/j1UM1C5pXrw/s1600/crowd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oY_9TbjNII/VGzNtXfxNTI/AAAAAAAAHss/j1UM1C5pXrw/s1600/crowd1.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WedcbEVDvK4/VGzNzw7p7OI/AAAAAAAAHs0/9IUprg7q1CA/s1600/crowd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WedcbEVDvK4/VGzNzw7p7OI/AAAAAAAAHs0/9IUprg7q1CA/s1600/crowd2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/11/juice-speaker-mike-busch-announces-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-5443184297556813662Sun, 16 Nov 2014 17:52:00 +00002014-11-18T00:10:50.642-05:00comcasthillary clintonhouse of delegateslarry hoganpaid sick leavepaul pinskyprogressive marylandred marylandtransportation fundingwealth gapPOST-HOGAN JUICE: Sen. Pinsky & Dems Decry Comcast Jab, Middle-Class Woes, Change MD, Progressive Caucus & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a quick round-up of election analyses and discussion of life after Larry Hogan's victory in the gubernatorial race:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: SENATOR PAUL PINSKY &amp; FRESHMEN HOUSE DEMOCRATS DECRY "WACKO" LABEL AND DEFEND EFFORT TO END CORPORATE TAX DODGING</b></u> - Immediately after Larry Hogan's win in the Governor's race, <a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/11/09/new-delegates-respond-to-charge-they-are-anti-business/">Maryland Reporter</a> wrote that Comcast lobbyist Sean Looney called incoming Freshmen Democrats "anti-business" and said Democrats who want to end corporate tax-dodging were "far-left wackos." The comments struck a nerve with numerous lawmakers and Looney has since apologized, but not before two response pieces from Democrats were published.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-lobbyist-arrogance-20141113-story.html">State Senator Paul Pinsky of Prince George's County drafted a strong op-ed in <i>The Baltimore Sun</i></a> noting that ending corporate tax loopholes through a practice called "combined reporting" is anything but wacky (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PAUL PINSKY (VIA BALTIMORE SUN)</b></u>: At a Chamber of Commerce luncheon talk right after Larry Hogan's victory, Comcast lobbyist Sean Looney derisively dismissed ongoing legislative efforts in Annapolis to pass a corporate tax loophole-plugging reform known as "combined reporting."<br /><br />"The far left wackos in the Democratic Party think it's a great idea," Mr. Looney told his high-powered business audience. Nearly a majority of Maryland's Senate — apparently the "far left wackos" decried by Mr. Looney — want to stop huge corporations like Comcast from charging their business expenses to their Maryland operations while shifting their profits to subsidiaries or companies incorporated in low- or no-tax states....<br /><br />It seems this tax scheme is popular among the big boys doing business in our state. <span style="background-color: yellow;">Our Maryland comptroller's office reports that many multi-state, multinational companies pay less in corporate tax than you and I pay in personal income tax</span>. This tax avoidance garners these big corporations a major competitive advantage over Maryland's small businesses — and costs our state over $100 million in lost revenue annually.<br /><br />We must have a good many such wackos in America today. Over half our states with corporate income taxes — 24 states in all — already have combined-reporting laws on the books. And these combined-reporting states include Texas, Utah and a host of other hotbeds of far-left wacko-ism....</blockquote>Meanwhile, incoming Freshman Delegate Cory McCray of Baltimore organized a sign-on letter from 17 Democratic Delegates-elect (myself included) responding to Comcast's commentary. <a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/11/09/new-delegates-respond-to-charge-they-are-anti-business/">The response was published at <i>Maryland Reporter</i></a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>17 FRESHMEN DELEGATES (VIA MARYLAND REPORTER)</b></u>: It was with a mixture of amusement and frustration that we awoke days after our new election to the General Assembly to read that you, the lobbyist paid by Comcast to work with us, had attempted to publicly insult us and demean our ideas....<br /><br />We will not use this time to debate the substance of your grievance, which seemed to be that combined reporting is a radical idea, even though numerous states (many with Republican legislatures) have passed similar legislation in recent years. We look forward to discussing the value of combined reporting, as well as any benefit Comcast receives from government programs and services, with you and your client....<br /><br />Shelly Hettleman, Terri Hill, Clarence Lam, Vanessa Atterbeary, Marc Korman, Andrew Platt, Marice Morales, David Moon, William Smith, Daryl Barnes, Antonio Hayes, Charles Sydnor, Patrick Young, Cory McCray, Brooke Lierman, Diana Fennell, Jimmy Tarlau</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: NATIONAL PUNDITS HIGHLIGHT WAGE STAGNATION AS OBSTACLE TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY &amp; DEMOCRATS' ELECTORAL FORTUNES</b></u> - Soon after Larry Hogan won Maryland's race for Governor, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/davidmoon0/posts/10100467994142798">Maryland Juice concluded that the biggest failure of state Democrats' was in missing the populist tide</a> sweeping through the electorate. <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/11/juice-way-forward-for-md-democrats.html">I then penned a piece calling on Maryland Democrats to prioritize measures to provide economic security for middle and working class residents</a>, instead of joining the GOP and Big Business call for trickle-down (aka voodoo) economic measures like corporate &amp; upper bracket tax cuts.<br /><br /><u><b>PAID SICK LEAVES WINS WHERE GOP BEAT DEMOCRATS</b></u>: There is now a loud clamor of agreement from national pundits and economic analysts that Democrats have got to craft a strong economic populist message and start tackling our historic wealth gap. See a few examples below, starting with a case study from Massachusetts, where Republicans won control of the Governor's mansion -- <u>at the same time that 60% of voters in the state approved a sick leave requirement at the ballot</u>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/massachusetts-sick-leave_n_6096580.html"><u><b>DAVE JAMIESON (VIA HUFFINGTON POST)</b></u></a>:&nbsp; Massachusetts on Tuesday became the third state in the nation to guarantee paid sick days for workers, with voters decisively approving a sick-leave ballot initiative, 60 percent to 40 percent....<br /><br />Although more employers voluntarily provide paid sick leave than they used to, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 39 percent of the U.S. private-sector workforce has no paid sick time. Workers without it are disproportionately employed in lower-wage jobs, such as food service and retail, where companies tend to keep a tighter grip on payroll hours....<br /><br />As with raising the minimum wage, <span style="background-color: yellow;">Americans in general seem to back the idea of placing a sick-leave requirement upon businesses<span style="background-color: white;">, making such proposals good fodder for voter referendums. In a recent HuffPost/YouGov poll, 74 percent of respondents said they would support such a mandate, while just 18 percent said they would oppose it. That backing included majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents</span></span>....</blockquote><br /><u><b>WAGE STAGNATION HURT DEMOCRATIC ELECTORAL FORTUNES</b></u>: The Democrats' recent electoral drubbing has pundits pointing to working class economic justice issues as the greatest challenge for the Party in coming years: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/upshot/the-great-wage-slowdown-looming-over-politics.html?abt=0002&amp;abg=1">DAVID LEONHARDT (VIA NY TIMES</a>)</b></u>: The Democratic Party’s short-term plan to help the middle class just isn’t very clear.... The fact remains that incomes for most Americans aren’t growing very fast and haven’t been for years. Median inflation-adjusted income last year was still $2,100 lower than when President Obama took office in 2009 — and $3,600 lower than when President George W. Bush took office in 2001.... <span style="background-color: yellow;">We’re living through the great wage slowdown of the 21st century, and nothing presents a larger threat to the Democrats’ electoral fortunes<span style="background-color: white;"> than that slowdown</span></span>. The Democratic Party fashions itself as the defender of working families.... But if Democrats can’t deliver rising living standards, many voters aren’t going to remain loyal. They’ll skip voting or give a chance to Republicans who offer an alternative, even a vague alternative....</blockquote><br /><u><b>HILLARY CLINTON NEEDS A REAL RESPONSE TO MIDDLE-CLASS WOES</b></u>: The place where we're seeing this debate become increasingly relevant is in the upcoming Democratic Primary for the 2016 Presidential Election. Hillary Clinton, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/hillary-clinton-goldman-sachs-private-equity-white-house-2016">who is notoriously close to the party's Wall Street and industry backers</a>, may have to sing a different tune to secure the White House:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/10/us/politics/for-hillary-clinton-the-right-time-to-get-ready.html">ALBERT HUNT (VIA NY TIMES)</a></b>: It won't be sufficient to run on competence, breadth of experience.... <span style="background-color: white;">[Hillary Clinton] needs an innovative, or even bold approach... to dealing with middle-class economic stagnation</span> and income inequality.... </blockquote><br /><u><b>LOW-INCOME VOTERS CHOSE GOP OR DIDN'T VOTE</b></u>: Indeed, data from the November General Election shows that these bits of advice are not just speculation, they're backed by evidence:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/us/politics/democratic-party-iberals-and-moderates.html"><u><b>JONATHAN MARTIN (VIA NY TIMES)</b></u></a>: <span style="background-color: yellow;">Sifting through returns showing that lower-income voters either supported Republicans or did not vote<span style="background-color: white;">, liberals argue that without a more robust message about economic fairness, the party will continue to suffer among working-class voters</span></span>, particularly in the South and Midwest....<br /><br />“Too many Democrats are too close to Wall Street,” said Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. “Too many Democrats support trade agreements that outsource jobs, and too many Democrats are too willing to cut Social Security — and that’s why we lose elections.”<br /><br />Mr. Brown said he had talked to over 60 Ohio Democratic leaders and activists since they were trounced in every statewide election. “The message I heard from all of them was: <span style="background-color: yellow;">The Democratic Party should fight for the little guy</span>,” he said.... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Progressives pointed to three Democrats who ran as populists as models for success: Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Senator-elect Gary Peters of Michigan.<br /><br />Mr. Merkley, who focused on the loss of well-paying jobs, the cost of college tuition and opposition to trade deals that he said sent jobs overseas, won by 19 percentage points. While Democrats nationally lost whites without a college degree by 30 percentage points, Mr. Merkley narrowly carried that bloc....<br /><br />Many liberals believe that the disconnect between the politics of the party’s grass roots and the message coming from Democratic administrations has left blue-collar voters unenthused. “We do not have to struggle for an agenda that connects with working-class voters,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut. “We have an agenda that does that, but it does not get vocalized at the top....” </blockquote><br /><u><b>S&amp;P ANALYSIS SAYS WEALTH GAP IS HURTING ECONOMIC RECOVERY</b></u>: And while some Democrats continue to insist that economic populism is bad for business, <u>the evidence actually points to the opposite conclusion</u>. Indeed, trickle-down economics has <i>never</i> worked, and that fact has not changed today. In fact, S&amp;P analysts seem to believe that caving to the millionaire &amp; corporate tax cut crowd is hurting America's economic recovery and dragging down state revenues. Where is the courage?<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/income-inequality-is-hurting-state-tax-revenue-report-says/2014/09/14/12f31a8c-3c59-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html"><u><b>JOSH BOAK (VIA WASHINGTON POST)</b></u></a>: The widening gap between the wealthiest Americans and everyone else has been matched by a slowdown in state tax revenue, according to a report being released Monday by Standard &amp; Poor’s.<br /><br />Even as income has accelerated for the affluent, it has barely kept pace with inflation for most other people. That trend can mean a double whammy for states: The wealthy often manage to shield much of their income from taxes. And they tend to spend less of it than others do, thereby limiting sales tax revenue.<br /><br />As the growth of tax revenue has slowed, states have faced tensions over whether to raise taxes or cut spending to balance their budgets as required by law. “Rising income inequality is not just a social issue,” said Gabriel Petek, the S&amp;P credit analyst who wrote the report. “It presents a very significant set of challenges for the policymakers.”<br /><br />Stagnant pay for most people has compounded the pressure on states to preserve funding for education, highways and social programs such as Medicaid. The investments in education and infrastructure also have fueled economic growth. Yet they’re at risk without a strong flow of tax revenue.... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: yellow;">S&amp;P’s analysis builds on a previous report this year in which it said the widening gap between the wealthiest Americans and everyone else has slowed the U.S. economy’s recovery from the Great Recession</span>. Because consumer spending fuels about 70 percent of the economy, weak pay growth typically slows economic growth....</blockquote><br /><u><b>U.S. VOTERS BACK INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING AT THE NOVEMBER BALLOT</b></u>:&nbsp; Policymakers would be short-sighted to think that Republican wins at the ballot reflect a desire to gut infrastructure spending. In fact, several states (Maryland included) had infrastructure spending measures on the ballot this November, and the message is loud and clear:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/policy/insiders/transportation/voters-are-willing-to-pay-for-infrastructure-is-congress-20141110">FAWN JOHNSON (VIA NATIONAL JOURNAL)</a></b>:&nbsp; ...both Republican and Democratic lawmakers agree that dedicating money to infrastructure is one of the best ways to boost the economy....<br /><br />Last week's midterm elections showed that the willingness to set aside money for transportation extends to the voting public. In Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, Texas, Wisconsin, and Maryland, voters approved ballot initiatives to secure funding for water resources, roads, and transit. In Texas, 81 percent of voters approved a measure to dedicate half of the state's oil and gas revenues to a state highway fund, as long as that money isn't going to tolled roads. Maryland and Wisconsin voters approved "lockbox" initiatives to make it harder to take money out of the state's transportation coffers. Rhode Island voters gave a thumbs-up to bond initiatives for infrastructure. California voters, facing one of the most severe droughts on record, gave the OK to more than $7 billion in general obligation bonds to shore up the state's water supply. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">"<span style="background-color: yellow;">The outcomes of these elections demonstrate that Americans value well-maintained infrastructure and are willing to make the investment</span>," said American Society of Civil Engineers President Robert Stevens.</blockquote><br /><u><b>U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATS RESPOND TO ELECTION LOSSES BY GIVING ELIZABETH WARREN A LEADERSHIP SPOT</b></u>: At the national level, U.S. Senate Democratic leaders have responded to these challenges by giving economic populists a larger say in the Democratic Caucus. They recently elevated liberal Senator Elizabeth Warren to a leadership post. Will Maryland Democrats follow suit?<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/elizabeth-warren-senate_n_6149454.html">AMANDA TERKEL &amp; RYAN GRIMM (VIA HUFFINGTON POST)</a></b>:&nbsp; Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) gained a leadership position in the Senate Democratic caucus Thursday, giving the prominent progressive senator a key role in shaping the party's policy priorities.<br /><br />Warren's new role, which was created specifically for her, will be strategic policy adviser to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, helping to craft the party's policy positions and priorities. She will also serve as a liaison to progressive groups to ensure they have a voice in leadership meetings and discussions, according to a source familiar with the role....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: CHANGE MARYLAND? // PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND &amp; ACTIVISTS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO PRIORITIZE ECONOMIC JUSTICE ISSUES</b></u> - It seems clear that Maryland progressives are getting fired up after the Democrats' recent electoral losses. The message moving forward is obviously that its time for the Party to start focusing on poor and working class Marylanders. Maryland Juice recently received the following event invitation from Progressive Maryland announcing a new campaign to move this message forward (details below and at <a href="http://www.newrulesmd.tk/">www.newrulesmd.tk</a>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>LARRY STAFFORD (VIA PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND)</b></u>: Yesterday I came on board as the Deputy Director for Progressive Maryland. After years of progressive activism that has included work with Project Vote, the New Organizing Institute, and with Heather Mizeur's campaign for Governor, I'm looking to bring my skills and experiences to build on the successes of this great organization. With last Tuesday's results in mind, Progressive Maryland is issuing a call to action for all progressives in the state to begin organizing and mobilizing for this upcoming legislative session. <a href="http://www.newrulesmd.tk/">On November 18th at 7pm, we will be hosting an event to kick-off our upcoming organizing efforts</a>. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">It has become clear. The status quo in Maryland politics is no longer acceptable. Many of our elected leaders have become disconnected from the voters that they have been elected to serve. Maryland's political leadership has found its opportunities to be progressive on important social issues, but has failed to speak to the economic plight facing poor and working families in Maryland.<br /><br />Conservatives win when we are not boldly and clearly articulating our message of economic justice and fairness. They repeat dishonest messages that are designed to arouse the frustrations of the neglected communities of our State. They speak boldly of the problems that face poor and working families, but offer no real solutions that will create good paying jobs that uplift our communities.... <br /><br /><u>When</u>: November 18th at 7pm<br /><u>Where</u>:&nbsp; 4371 Parliament Pl Lanham, MD </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IN MARYLAND</b></u> - As pundits continue to ponder Maryland's recent election results, one thing is clear: the Democratic Caucus is now much more progressive. Barry Rascovar recently discussed the developments at Maryland Reporter (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/11/13/rascovar-gone-at-the-state-house-democratic-moderates/">BARRY RASCOVAR (VIA MARYLAND REPORTER)</a></b>: Hardly noticed in the Nov. 4 election that saw Anthony Brown wiped out in an embarrassing avalanche of rejection was the obliteration of the Democratic Party’s moderate-conservative wing in Annapolis. Gone is Southern Maryland Sen. Roy Dyson. Gone is half-century veteran Baltimore County Sen. Norman Stone (retirement). Gone is a Howard County fixture, Sen. Jim Robey (retirement).<br /><br />Also out of luck, conservative Western Maryland Del. Kevin Kelly, moderate Western Maryland Del. John Donoghue, conservative Baltimore County Dels. Mike Weir, Jimmy Malone (retirement), Steve DeBoy (retirement) and Sonny Minnick (retirement), moderate-conservative Del. Emmett Burns of Baltimore County (retirement), Eastern Shore Committee Chairman Del. Norm Conway, Cecil County Del. David Randolph, Southern Maryland Dels. John Bohanan and Johnny Wood (retirement), Harford County Del. Mary-Dulany James, and Frederick County Del. Galen Clagett (retirement).<br /><br />The Democratic Party’s fulcrum in the State House now is dangerously weighted to the strident left. The party’s center-right legislators have shrunk to a handful.<br /><br />It’s tough even coming up with who you’d place in that category in the House of Delegates once you get beyond House Speaker Mike Busch.&nbsp; You can count less than 10 moderates still left in the Senate, including President Mike Miller — Charles County’s Mac Middleton, Frederick’s Ron Young, Anne Arundel’s John Astle and Ed DeGrange, Ocean City’s Jim Mathias, Baltimore County’s Jim Brochin and Kathy Klausmeier....</blockquote></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Rascovar calls this development "dangerous," but that seems like centrist spin. Believe it or not, many progressives (myself included) are outcome-oriented individuals and prioritize moving good policy over partisan politics. And while the GOP believes tax cuts will help ordinary Marylanders, progressives believe there are other was to help the middle-class. But the key commonality is that (if you take the GOP at their word), both the far right and far left are trying to help ordinary Marylanders. That may not be true of powered and institutional interests, and it presents an interesting opportunity to get things done in the future. Unfortunately, much of the pundit class is posing this question to liberal Democrats, but I think it is just as fair to pose this question to incoming GOP Governor Larry Hogan. Is he willing to play ball?</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: MARYLAND JUICE &amp; RED MARYLAND'S BRIAN GRIFFITHS DISCUSS THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS AND LIFE AFTER LARRY HOGAN</b></u>: Maryland Juice (aka David Moon) recently appeared on WNAV radio with our frenemy Brian Griffiths at Red Maryland. We talked about the recent election results and what the future of Maryland politics might look like with a Republican Governor. You can listen to the three-part radio interview below:</div><br /><br /><center><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/176467167&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/176467832&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/176468410&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br /></center></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/11/post-hogan-juice-sen-pinsky-dems-decry.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3432445041368003828Sat, 08 Nov 2014 19:33:00 +00002014-11-16T11:36:38.227-05:00anthony brownanti-tax hysteriabrian froshcomcastestate taxlarry hoganmaryland governormd vs vamillionaires taxwealth gapJUICE - A Way Forward for MD Democrats: Brian Frosh vs. Anthony Brown and Lessons from Connecticut & Minnesota<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><b>A WAY FORWARD FOR MARYLAND DEMOCRATS</b></u>: Politicos have been chattering about Anthony Brown's loss this week, and everyone seems to have their own theory about how this happened. Was it a a reaction to partisan gridlock in Congress? Was it a canned campaign by the Democratic nominee? Was it a revolt against taxes? Was Maryland just part of the national anti-Obama wave? We'll never know for sure, but there are clear lessons for the future looking at examples both from outside and inside Maryland. Indeed, it seems clear that neither Democrats <i><u>nor Republicans</u></i> can take for granted the message from the electorate. To be sure, my side missed the populist tide sweeping through the electorate, but Republicans would be equally foolish to see this as a mandate for conservatism or austerity measures. Below, I make the case for Democrats embracing economic populism (as a contrast to an anti-tax agenda) in the coming years. After all, many of the Assembly Democrats who are closer to Hogan than Brown on tax policy lost this year anyway.<br /><br /><u><b>IT'S STILL ABOUT THE MIDDLE &amp; WORKING CLASS</b></u>: I previously wrote that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/davidmoon0/posts/10100467994142798">my key takeaway from Maryland Democrats' disastrous election night</a> was that the state party needed to step up its game on economic populism -- especially in a way that counters the GOP's trickle-down economic talking points (eg: the idea that tax cuts for millionaires and corporations will magically create jobs and wealth for ordinary Marylanders). But Larry Hogan's simple anti-tax message clearly had appeal with Maryland voters, because our Democratic Party simply didn't even try to present a progressive or populist vision on economic issues. And when we did, it wasn't really responsive to anyone except the wealthy and industry interests (who are often one and the same). For example, in the last few years Maryland Democrats tried to disarm the Hogan-style message by passing an estate tax cut on inheritances up to $5.9 million and reducing the state's millionaire's tax. I don't begrudge Maryland Democrats for trying to play the anti-tax game, but I think the ineffectiveness of the strategy in fending off Hogan warrants discussion (without even getting into the policy and revenue merits of these cuts).<br /><br />In an era of a much-talked-about, historic wealth gap, <u>how many ordinary Marylanders will actually benefit from these measures</u>? Are those who declined to vote really in the dark about growing income and wealth inequality, or did they simply think Democrats weren't planning on doing anything different than in the past? The question is not, are you better off today than you were four years ago -- it is, will you be better off four years in the future than you are today <i>if we are in charge</i>. If you have children at the pre-K age, you might've been able to answer yes to this question --<i> but if you don't....</i><br /><br />To be sure, trying to jump on Larry Hogan's broad anti-tax bandwagon didn't work this year. But I think this had less to do with taxes <i>per se,</i> and more to do with a failure by the party to passionately address the policy sins we all know exist that have led to the spiraling gap between the rich and the poor (both in Maryland and nationally). As Roy Meyers, a&nbsp;professor of political science at UMBC, noted in <i><a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/11/05/analyzing-the-election-3-professors-and-a-columnist-assess-the-pros-and-cons-plus-interactive-charts/">Maryland Reporter</a></i> (<i>excerpt below</i>): <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>ROY MEYERS (UMBC PROFESSOR)</b></u>: "...repeatedly promising 'no new taxes' in this campaign was insufficient protection from the narrative Republicans, and Hogan in particular, have been building over recent years. Much of that narrative was false or misleading, yet many voters bought it. Though Maryland is still one of the richest and most productive states in the nation, the Republicans convinced many that the economy was worse than most other states’. Though even after the tax increases of recent years, when Maryland still has below-average tax rates per individual incomes, many voters came to believe that the tax burden promoted flight of high-income taxpayers (there’s no convincing proof of this)."</blockquote>Indeed, many Maryland politicos (Democrats included) over the last few years have become cheerleaders for the idea that we're losing millionaires (<a href="http://w3.phoenixmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Phoenix-GWM-U.S.-Ranking-States-By-Millioinaires-Per-Capita-2006-13.pdf">we're not</a>) and that we're losing residents to Virginia (we're not). In fact, <i>The Washington Business Journal</i> recently reported that <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2013/09/dcs-biz-tax-burden-competitive-with.html?page=all"><u>effective</u> corporate tax rates are often lower in Maryland than Virginia</a>. So rather than fight trickle-down economics in Maryland, we've largely <u>embraced it</u> as a policy solution for unquantifiable problems like "poor business reputation" or millionaires maybe/potentially/hypothetically leaving the state (some day).<br /><br />But where I believe Democrats have faltered is on prioritizing relief for the middle-class and working class. During the gubernatorial race, there was always a lingering choice about whether to try and mobilize the base, or whether to try and convert voters on the other side. In many ways, these choices were mutually exclusive. Karl Rove famously chose the former tactic (to great success) in multiple elections. But in some states, it appears that the populist message was the winning one -- and it's not always a partisan message. Larry Hogan ran a populist campaign running against taxes. But in other states, the populist campaign manifested as sick leave and economic justice.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>A LESSON FROM OTHER BLUE STATES: CONNECTICUT &amp; MINNESOTA</b></u></span> - Many politicos have been looking at Maryland in the same light as elections across the nation, where Republicans won tight races. But a better apples-to-apples comparison would be comparing Maryland to Connecticut (another traditionally Blue state with a tight Governor's race). <a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/11/07/connecticuts_crucial_lesson_democrats_can_win_when_they_listen_to_progressives/">Luke Brinker at <i>Salon.com</i> just did exactly that</a>, and I think he's got some good points (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>LUKE BRINKER (VIA SALON.COM)</b></u>: Amid this week’s disastrous Democratic drubbing, Connecticut emerged as one of the few bright spots for Democrats. Facing a formidable challenge from wealthy investor Tom Foley, whom he defeated by less than one percentage point in 2010, Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy secured another term, fending off Foley 51 to 48 percent....<br /><br />But <span style="background-color: yellow;">Malloy also boasted something many Democrats who lost Tuesday night did not — an actual track record of economic populist accomplishments</span>. Malloy could point to specific policies he’d signed into law — most notably, mandatory paid sick leave and the nation’s first-ever state-level minimum wage increase to $10.10 an hour — that benefited Connecticut families but would be jeopardized if Foley, who opposed those policies, won the governorship....<br /><br />A late-stage Malloy ad — aired as public polling indicated a tied race — put the issues at the very top. “On Tuesday, you future is on the ballot,” the ad’s narrator began. “What kind of state will Connecticut be? Tom Foley’s made his plans clear. No paid sick days for workers. No to raising the minimum wage....”<br /><br />Lindsay Farrell, Connecticut director of the Working Families Party, told Salon that the issues resonated with a broad swath of voters.... But, Farrell noted, <span style="background-color: yellow;">Malloy signed both paid sick leave and the minimum wage increase into law despite encountering opposition among more moderate Democrats in the state legislature</span>, particularly on the former.... “Things that give people economic security and tackle economic inequality in this country are popular with voters,” [Farrell] added.<br /><br />Results elsewhere bear this out. Bloomberg Politics’ Dave Weigel observes that while Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia barely survived after running a “radical centrist” campaign about the importance of slashing the national debt, <span style="background-color: yellow;">Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken cruised to a 10-point victory over his GOP opponent after a remarkably economic populist campaign</span>. Earlier this year, most commentators — including this one — would have told you that of the two senators, Warner was almost certain to win by a larger margin....</blockquote><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">And so the push for paid sick leave in Maryland begins (again)....</span></b></i><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>A LESSON FROM WITHIN MARYLAND: BRIAN FROSH VS. ANTHONY BROWN</b></u></span> - Indeed, it would be foolish of Maryland Democrats and Republicans to extrapolate lessons for the future <u>only</u> from this year's Governor's race. After all, my suspicion is that Hogan's win is more of a mandate for populism than it is for conservatism. Within Maryland results, comparing the vote totals of Anthony Brown and Democratic nominee for Attorney General Brian Frosh is very instructive. After all, the Frosh race makes it hard to see the rejection of Anthony Brown as a rejection of Democrats (or liberal political ideology more broadly). I think Frosh's race and multiple other races in the state suggest that the message, tactics, and tone of the Brown campaign were more decisive than party label or liberal vs. conservative.<br /><br />Indeed, Brian Frosh is a clear liberal politician from Montgomery County (representing much-maligned Bethesda, no less). He's also been the target of true hatred and ire from the NRA and gun owners, many of whom blame him for shepherding Maryland's tough new gun regulations through the State Senate. As a Senator, Frosh has also not been afraid to raise taxes, and voted for bills like transgender nondiscrimination that the rightwing base has revolted against. Frosh also opposed the estate tax cut and tax cuts for Lockheed Martin. He's not exactly a Larry Hogan clone, and would be the perfect foil if we were indeed witnessing a wave of anger toward Democrats. But Frosh won big, and that counters the narrative that voters were looking to blindly oust Democrats or liberals. Indeed, in a realignment cycle like we saw this year, several underfunded Republicans defeated better-known, better resourced candidates.<br /><u><b><br /></b></u><u><b>PROGRESSIVE SENATOR FROSH WON WHERE BROWN LOST</b></u>: Looking at the voting totals below, you can see that progressive lawmaker Brian Frosh beat his Republican opponent by almost a quarter-of-a-million votes, and he did so by winning in places that Anthony Brown failed to carry: Baltimore County, Charles County and Howard County. Frosh even nearly tied his Republican opponent in Kent County.<br /><br /><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"> <colgroup><col width="102"></col><col width="100"></col><col width="122"></col></colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td align="CENTER" height="32" width="102"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></td> <td align="CENTER" width="100"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Brian Frosh Democrat</span></b></td> <td align="CENTER" width="122"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Jeffrey Pritzker Republican</span></b></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Allegany</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5707</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">12056</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Anne Arundel</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">71548</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">91789</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Baltimore City</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">108198</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">17471</span></b></u></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Baltimore</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">132912</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">108605</span></b></u></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Calvert</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11330</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">18009</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Caroline</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2708</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5491</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Carroll</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">16927</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">40940</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Cecil</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8065</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">16127</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Charles</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">26045</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">17579</span></b></u></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Dorchester</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3979</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5355</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Frederick</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">30799</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">41319</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Garrett</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1823</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6194</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Harford</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">30289</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">52859</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Howard</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">54534</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">41781</span></b></u></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Kent</span></b></td> <td align="CENTER"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3394</span></b></td> <td align="CENTER"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3537</span></b></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Montgomery</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">163238</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">72205</span></b></u></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Prince George's</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">178809</span></b></u></span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">24346</span></b></u></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Queen Anne's</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5836</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11670</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">St. Mary's</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">10283</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">18779</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Somerset</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2292</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3452</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Talbot</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5496</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8045</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Washington</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11584</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">23005</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Wicomico</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">9604</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">13904</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Worcester</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6430</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11031</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Totals</span></b></td> <td align="CENTER"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">901,830 </span></b></td> <td align="CENTER"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">665,549</span></b></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><u><b>PROGRESSIVE SENATOR FROSH OUTPOLLED BROWN IN EVERY MARYLAND COUNTY</b></u>: Even more interesting is that Brian Frosh got more votes than Anthony Brown in every single county in Maryland, netting over 115,000 more votes for Frosh than Brown. Looking at the results below is a depressing vision of what could've been:<br /><br /><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"> <colgroup><col width="102"></col><col width="100"></col><col width="121"></col></colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td align="CENTER" height="32" width="102"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></td> <td align="CENTER" width="100"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Brian Frosh Democrat</span></b></td> <td align="CENTER" width="121"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Anthony Brown Democrat</span></b></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Allegany</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5707</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">4539</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Anne Arundel</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">71548</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">55918</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Baltimore City</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">108198</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">102219</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Baltimore</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">132912</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">100121</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Calvert</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11330</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">9355</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Caroline</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2708</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1900</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Carroll</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">16927</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">10181</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Cecil</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8065</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5396</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Charles</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">26045</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">23936</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Dorchester</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3979</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3067</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Frederick</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">30799</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">27041</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Garrett</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1823</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1588</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Harford</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">30289</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">19404</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Howard</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">54534</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">48019</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Kent</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3394</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2568</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Montgomery</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">163238</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">151593</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Prince George's</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">178809</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">177993</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Queen Anne's</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5836</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3715</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">St. Mary's</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">10283</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8030</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Somerset</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2292</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1979</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Talbot</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5496</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">4285</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Washington</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11584</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">9480</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Wicomico</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">9604</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8572</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Worcester</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6430</span></td> <td align="CENTER"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5427</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Totals</span></b></td> <td align="CENTER"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">901,830 </span></b></td> <td align="CENTER"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">786,326 </span></b></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><u><b>OTHER COUNTER-INTUITIVE TEA LEAVES FROM MARYLAND ELECTIONS</b></u>: Before you start extrapolating that there was something special about Brian Frosh (not that he isn't special), I would point out that rabid anti-tax, pro-business deregulation Republican Blaine Young lost his bid for Frederick County Executive this year to Democrat Jan Gardner -- even as Republicans swept 5 of the 7 County Council seats, and Brown lost big in the county. Moreover, Democrat John Delaney won re-election not just through Montgomery County -- he carried the Frederick portion of his district too. Rep. Elijah Cummings carried the Baltimore and Howard County portions of his district; Rep. John Sarbanes won the Baltimore and Howard County portions of his district, and nearly tied in Anne Arundel; Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger won in the Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, and Howard County portions of his district; and so on....<br /><br />On the other hand, <a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/11/06/new-governor-is-pro-business-new-democratic-legislators-more-anti-business-lobbyist-says/">you could listen to the advice of Comcast's Maryland lobbyist Sean Looney</a>, who apparently wants to preserve corporate tax loopholes, thinks the Assembly's incoming freshman are anti-business and a "headache," and believes some of Maryland's Democratic incumbents are "wackos." <i><b>Stay classy!</b></i></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/11/juice-way-forward-for-md-democrats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-4157016182021582512Thu, 06 Nov 2014 01:36:00 +00002014-11-05T20:36:02.320-05:002018 primaryanthony brownheather mizeurhouse of delegatesjohn delaneyken ulmanlarry hoganmaryland governorpeter franchotpurple linestate senateAFTERMATH - So Larry Hogan's Our Governor: What Happened Down-Ballot, What's Next & What About the Purple Line?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a few thoughts on last night's wild (and disappointing) election returns:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: WHAT HAPPENED IN MARYLAND'S DOWN-BALLOT RACES?</b></u> - I have to admit, I wasn't quite expecting Larry Hogan to have a shot at winning the Governor's race (known unforced errors notwithstanding). However, I fully expected that several races down-ballot would be hotly contested in the General Election. After all, Maryland's rapidly growing Democratic electorate is geographically concentrated with some tentacles into counties like Howard &amp; Frederick that are adjacent to Blue hotspots. When political demographics shift, wave years for political parties (like we saw this year, in 2010, and during the Newt Gingrich years) can often eliminate incumbent lawmakers who sit in districts that have become home to the opposing party. This year in Maryland was (unfortunately) no different.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u>The short summary is this</u>: In the House of Delegates, Democrats are facing a net loss of 7 seats, and in the Senate, Republicans will gain 2 seats. Democrats will still hold a solid majority in both chambers. Blogger David Lublin over at <a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=4285"><i>The Seventh State</i> framed the consequences accurately</a>: "The Democrats who lost in the General Assembly are almost all moderate or conservative Democrats.... The Democrats will be more liberal and the Republicans more conservative." Heading into the 2015 legislative session, Democrats will hold 91 seats in the House of Delegates, while Republicans will hold 50. But of the 91 Democratic lawmakers, 26% will represent Montgomery County, 25% will represent Prince George's County, and roughly 18% will represent Baltimore City. That means nearly 69% of the Democratic House Caucus will come from the "Big 3" jurisdictions.<br /><br />In the State Senate, Democrats will hold 33 seats, with the Republicans holding 14. 24% of the Democrats will be from Montgomery County, 24% will represent Prince George's, and 15% will represent Baltimore City. In the upper chamber, 63% of Democrats will represent the "Big 3" jurisdictions.</blockquote>Below I've noted some of the noteworthy down-ballot election results from around the state. Though it was a bad night for Democrats, some of the races below are Democratic pick-ups:<br /><br /><u><b>STATE SENATE CHANGES (GOP NETS 2 SEATS)</b></u>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>D6 (-1 DEM OPEN SEAT): Johnny Ray Salling (GOP) beats Johnny Olszewski Jr (DEM)</li><li>D29 (-1 DEM): Steve Waugh (GOP) beats incumbent Roy Dyson (DEM)</li><li>D34 (GOP HOLD OPEN SEAT): Bob Cassilly (GOP) beats Mary-Dulany James (DEM)</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>HOUSE OF DELEGATES CHANGES (GOP NETS 7 SEATS)</b></u>:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>D1B (-1 DEM): Jason Buckel (GOP) beats incumbent Kevin Kelly (DEM)</li><li>D2B (-1 DEM): Brett Wilson (GOP) beats incumbent John Donoghue (DEM)</li><li>D3A (+1 DEM IN 2 OPEN SEATS): Carol Krimm &amp; Karen Young (ALL DEM) beat Paul Smith &amp; Victoria Wilkins (ALL GOP)</li><li>D6 (-3 DEM): Bob Long, Robin Grammer &amp; Ric Metzgar (ALL GOP) beat incumbent Mike Weir &amp; 2 Democrats </li><li>D29A (-1 DEM IN OPEN SEAT): Matt Morgan (GOP) beats Daniel Slade (DEM)</li><li>D29B (-1 DEM): Deb Ray (GOP) beats incumbent John Bohanan (DEM)</li><li>D31A (+1 DEM): Ned Carey (DEM) beats Terry Lynn DeGraw (GOP)</li><li>D34B (-1 DEM IN OPEN SEAT): Susan McComas (GOP) beats Cassandra Beverly (DEM)</li><li>D35A (LOSS ACCOUNTED FOR IN D34B): Kevin Bailey Hornberger (GOP) beats incumbent David Rudolph (DEM)</li><li>D38B (-1 DEM): Carl Anderton Jr (GOP) beats incumbent Norm Conway (DEM)</li><li>D34A (NO CHANGE): Incumbent Glen Glass (GOP) &amp; Mary Ann Lisanti (DEM) win</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><u>NOTE ON DEFEATED DEMS</u>: Del. Norm Conway is House Appropriations Chair; Del. David Rudolph is House Economic Matters Vice-Chair; Sen. Roy Dyson is Senate Education, Health &amp; Environmental Vice-Chair. We can expect some shifting of positions due to these losses.</div><br /><br /><u><b>CONGRESS (ALL INCUMBENTS WIN RE-ELECTION)</b></u>: Though every member of Congress in Maryland is headed to re-election, the CD6 race between Rep. John Delaney and Dan Bongino was an interesting one. Here are the final numbers (not including absentee and provisional ballots):<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>John Delaney 89,318</li><li>Dan Bongino 87,152</li></ul><br /><u><b>ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY EXECUTIVE (GOP HOLD OPEN SEAT)</b></u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Del. Steve Schuh (GOP) beats George Johnson (DEM)</li><li>County Council will be 4 GOP to 3 DEM (<a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/neo-confederate-republican-michael-peroutka-wins-maryland-election">one of the GOP being a seccessionist</a>)</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVE (DEM HOLDS SEAT)</b></u></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Incumbent Kevin Kamenetz (DEM) beats George Harman (GOP)</li><li>County Council will be 3 GOP to 4 DEM</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>FREDERICK COUNTY EXECUTIVE (DEM WINS FIRST EVER ELECTION)</b></u></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jan Gardner (DEM) beats Blaine Young (GOP)</li><li>County Council will be 5 GOP to 2 DEM</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE (GOP WINS OPEN SEAT)</b></u></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sen. Allan Kittleman (GOP) beats Courtney Watson (DEM)</li><li>County Council will be 1 GOP to 4 DEM</li></ul><br /><u><b>BALLOT QUESTIONS</b></u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>MD Question 1 - "Transportation Fund Lock Box" was Approved </li><li>MD Question 2 - Authorization for County Executive Special Elections was Approved</li><li>MoCo Question A - Residency Requirement for District Councilmembers was Approved</li><li>PG Question J - Longer Term Limits for County Officials was Rejected</li></ul><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: 2018 ELECTION TEA LEAVES</b></u> - Last night Maryland Juice was watching election coverage on News Channel 8. Doug Gansler's running-mate, Jolene Ivey, was on-air talking about the election returns, and it sure sounds like Gansler might run again in 2018. Gansler has also since appeared in post-election coverage criticizing the Brown campaign (see eg: <a href="http://www.wbal.com/article/110771/21/gansler-takes-a-stab-at-brown-after-his-election-loss">WBAL</a>). The other candidate in the Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, Heather Mizeur closed out the General Election with a <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-mizeur-race-20141028-story.html"><i>Baltimore Sun</i> op-ed</a> stating, "our time will come at some future election." Let's also not forget that Congressman <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-governors-poll-that-includes-delaneys-name-raises-questions-about-his-thinking/2014/01/13/f9f82280-7bff-11e3-9556-4a4bf7bcbd84_story.html">John Delaney was polling the Governor's race</a> (with his name included) during the primary. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-winners-losers-photogallery.html#lightbox=81884817"><i>The Baltimore Sun</i> included Ken Ulman</a> in a list of election winners &amp; losers (listed as a winner), with the following statement: "You may have dodged a bullet by avoiding the trap of being Maryland's lieutenant governor, historically a one-way ticket to nowhere.... See you in four years." Lastly, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-winners-losers-photogallery.html#lightbox=81884817&amp;slide=4"><i>The Sun's</i> list also mentioned Comptroller Peter Franchot</a>, who also flirted with a gubernatorial bid this cycle: "In an awful year for Democrats, Comptroller Peter Franchot actually increased his margin of victory from 2010. He ran strong where Democrats did well, and he ran strong where they didn't." Last night's election results were utterly disappointing, but I guess we'll at least have something to talk about for four years.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: MOVING FORWARD &amp; THE FUTURE OF THE PURPLE LINE</b></u> - I don't want to spend too much time talking about the Governor's race, but <a href="https://www.facebook.com/davidmoon0/posts/10100467994142798">I posted my very brief thoughts on Facebook earlier this evening</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRCzmQPijKQ/VFrIrSCvtII/AAAAAAAAHsc/4BeDOKuCI6A/s1600/fbmoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRCzmQPijKQ/VFrIrSCvtII/AAAAAAAAHsc/4BeDOKuCI6A/s1600/fbmoon.jpg" /></a></div><br />As noted above, I am indeed thinking about how to adjust to the reality of a Hogan administration. Of primary concern are two issues that should not be seen as partisan: 1) funding for severely overcrowded schools in Montgomery County, and 2) funding for transit projects that are near-ready to break ground, like the Purple Line. The transit-focused blog <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/24785/can-and-will-governor-hogan-kill-the-purple-line/"><i>Greater Greater Washington</i> today discussed the impact of a Hogan administration on the Purple Line</a> and included some of my thoughts (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GREATER GREATER WASHINGTON</b></u>: Business groups supported Hogan because of his message of tax cuts. They also have strongly favored the Purple Line. Will they tell Hogan that it's important to them? David Moon, an organizer who once ran the Purple Line Now campaign and was just elected to the House of Delegates from the Silver Spring/Takoma Park area, said, "You're not going to be able to [win Hogan over] from a regional DC-suburban perspective, or a liberal transit versus roads perspective," or the environment (he ran against a stormwater fee calling it a "rain tax"). But if businesses are willing to stand up for infrastructure that will generate economic growth, he said, that is more compelling....</blockquote>The interesting piece has generated a decent amount of commentary and debate (<a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/24785/can-and-will-governor-hogan-kill-the-purple-line/#comments">see here</a>).<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>That's all I got for now....</b></i></span></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/11/aftermath-so-larry-hogans-our-governor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-17737727116819439Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:21:00 +00002014-10-27T13:09:04.356-04:00anthony brownbobby zirkinearly votinghillary clintonhouse of delegatesjamie raskinlarry hoganmaryland governorpublic financingstate senatetransportation fundingvoter turnoutEarly Vote Turnout Analysis, Hillary Clinton in MD, Brown vs. Hogan Polls, Raskin vs. Zirkin for JPR Committee Chair & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a roundup of news and analyses of key races of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: DUELING POLLS IN THE RACE BETWEEN ANTHONY BROWN VS. LARRY HOGAN</b></u> - Maryland's top race this cycle is undoubtedly the gubernatorial match-up between Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and former Ehrlich-administration official Larry Hogan. Here is a quick round-up of recent polls in the race. <u>Note</u>: the Gonzalez poll below was commissioned by supporters of Larry Hogan:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><a href="https://today.yougov.com/news/2014/09/10/battleground-tracker-2014-maryland/#wave4gov">NEW YORK TIMES-CBS-YOUGOV (10/23/14) - BROWN +13</a></b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anthony Brown (D) - 51%</li><li>Larry Hogan (R) - 38%</li></ul><br /><b><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-governor-poll-20141011-story.html#page=1">BALTIMORE SUN (10/11/14) - BROWN +7%</a></b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anthony Brown (D) - 49%</li><li>Larry Hogan (R) - 42% </li></ul><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/post-poll-anthony-brown-leads-larry-hogan-by-9-points-in-maryland-governors-race/2014/10/06/46e2bf20-4d6e-11e4-8c24-487e92bc997b_story.html"><b>WASHINGTON POST (10/6/14) - BROWN +9%</b></a><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anthony Brown (D) - 47%</li><li>Larry Hogan (R) - 38%</li><li>Shawn Quinn (L) - 4%</li></ul><br /><b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/brown-holds-narrow-lead-over-hogan-in-md-governors-race-poll-says/2014/10/01/9d2b54e6-499a-11e4-b72e-d60a9229cc10_story.html">GONZALEZ RESEARCH (10/1/14) - BROWN +4%</a></b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anthony Brown (D) - 47%</li><li>Larry Hogan (R) - 43%</li><li>Shawn Quinn (L) - 1%</li></ul></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: MARYLAND JUICE EARLY VOTE TURNOUT ANALYSIS // WHO'S BEEN VOTING?</b></u> - Below Maryland Juice takes a deep dive into early vote turnout data by party, gender, and county --<i> </i><u>and we also give breakdowns in all Montgomery County state races, a few swing districts and in key Maryland counties</u>. Early voting is currently underway in Maryland, as voters can cast early ballots until Thursday, October 30, 2014. Polls are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at early vote centers across the state. Who has been voting early in the Free State? Below you can see some of our findings from turnout data for the <u>first three days</u> of early voting (Thursday, Friday &amp; Saturday).<br /><br /><u><b>EARLY VOTE TURNOUT BY COUNTY &amp; PARTY</b></u>: Below we take a look at early vote turnout by raw party advantage and by county turnout. Not surprisingly, Democrats are turning out at an almost 2-1 rate over Republicans, reflecting their statewide registration advantage. As a result, the top raw turnout counties are not surprising (Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, etc). But in terms of the % of eligible voters casting ballots, Montgomery County is near the bottom of the state, along with Baltimore City. Though you cannot assume all Democrats will vote for Brown and all Republicans will vote for Hogan, the data reflect mixed news for Democrats. The party can try and coast on its registration advantage, but the low turnout %'s in heavy Democratic counties should be seen as a call to arms. Montgomery County is seriously lagging in % turnout (again, probably owing to the fact that the large numbers of new MoCo voters who registered over the last few years are not turning out at the polls):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><u><span style="color: red;">2014</span> Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u>:</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 62,765</li><li>Republicans = 29,533</li><li>Independents = 8,275</li></ol><b><u><span style="color: red;">2010</span> Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u>:</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 60,547</li><li>Republicans = 26,146</li><li>Independents = 7,508</li></ol><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Top 8 Counties by Raw Turnout (First 3 Days)</u></b>:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Baltimore County = 16,893 (3.25%)</li><li>Prince George's = 14,004 (2.58%)</li><li>Anne Arundel = 12,930 (3.7%)</li><li>Montgomery = 11,271 (1.78%)</li><li>Baltimore City = 8,413 (2.25%)</li><li>Howard = 7,064 (3.62%)</li><li>Harford = 6,301 (3.83%)</li><li>Frederick = 3,712 (2.46%)</li></ol><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - All Counties Ranked by % Eligible Turnout (First 3 Days)</u></b>:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Talbot = 1,651 (6.43%)</li><li>Queen Anne's = 1,885 (5.68%)</li><li>Kent = 719 (5.65%)</li><li>Worcester = 1,415 (3.96%)</li><li>Harford = 6,301 (3.83%)</li><li>Somerset = 486 (3.74%)</li><li>Anne Arundel = 12,930 (3.7%)</li><li>Howard = 7,064 (3.62%)</li><li>Wicomico = 1,859 (3.28%)</li><li>Baltimore County = 16,893 (3.25%)</li><li>Caroline = 577 (3.14%)</li><li>Dorchester = 582 (2.84%)</li><li>Calvert = 1,672 (2.79%)</li><li>Prince George's = 14,004 (2.58%)</li><li>Frederick = 3,712 (2.46%)</li><li>Carroll = 2,751 (2.44%)</li><li>Cecil = 1,491 (2.41%)</li><li>Garrett = 460 (2.38%)</li><li>Saint Mary's = 1,466 (2.27%)</li><li><b><span style="color: red;">Baltimore City = 8,413 (2.25%)</span></b></li><li>Charles = 2,069 (2.06%)</li><li><b><span style="color: red;">Montgomery = 11,271 (1.78%)</span></b></li><li>Washington = 1,279 (1.42%)</li><li>Allegany = 587 (1.38%)</li></ol></blockquote><u><b>EARLY VOTE BY GENDER &amp; PARTY</b></u>: Below we take a look at the first three days of early vote turnout by gender and party. Statewide, women are turning out in larger numbers than men, a trend which clearly benefits Democrats. Women make up almost 60% of the Democrats early voting electorate, while men are a majority of Republican and Independent early vote turnout:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout by Gender (First 3 Days)</u>:</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Women = 54,759</li><li>Men = 46,778</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Democrats by Gender = 62,765:</u></b></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats Female = 36,787 (58.6%)</li><li>Democrats Male = 25,967 (41.1%)</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Republicans by Gender = 29,533&nbsp;</u></b></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Republicans Female = 14,078 (47.7%)</li><li>Republicans Male = 15,447 (52.3%)</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Independents by Gender = 8,275</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Independents Female = 3,522 (42.6%)</li><li>Independents Male = 4,747 (57.4%)</li></ol></blockquote><u><b>EARLY VOTE TURNOUT BY AGE AND PARTY</b></u>: Below we take a look at the first three days of early vote turnout, sorted by age and party. The largest block of early voters is age 65+, with almost equal numbers of early voters from the large 45-64 demographic. In every age category, Democrats are turning out in larger numbers than Republicans. But again, you cannot assume that voters are going to vote party-line:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Ages 18-24 = 2,363</u></b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats 18-24 = 1,249</li><li>Republicans 18-24 = 736</li><li>Independents 18-24 = 349</li><li>Libertarians 18-24 = 15</li><li>Greens 18-24 = 4</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Ages 25-44 = 10,775</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats 25-44 = 6,170</li><li>Republicans 25-44 = 2,992</li><li>Independents 25-44 = 1,459</li><li>Libertarians 25-44 = 64</li><li>Greens 25-44 = 23</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Ages 45-64 = 43,605</u></b></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats 45-64 = 26,465</li><li>Republicans 45-64 = 13,057</li><li>Independents 45-64 = 3,668</li><li>Libertarians 45-64 = 75</li><li>Greens 25-44 = 55</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>2014 Early Vote Turnout - Ages 65+ = 44,794</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats 65+ = 28,881</li><li>Republicans 65+ = 12,748</li><li>Independents 65+ = 2,799</li><li>Libertarians 65+ = 36</li><li>Greens 65+ = 14</li></ol></blockquote><u><b>EARLY VOTE BY PARTY IN THE TOP 8 TURNOUT COUNTIES</b></u>: Below we take a look at early vote turnout in the top 8 highest turnout counties. In 7 of 8 of these counties, Democrats are turning out in much higher numbers than Republicans. In Harford County, Republicans have a slight edge of roughly 300 votes over the Democrats. Though you can't quite assume that all Democrats will vote for their County Executive candidates, the county-level turnout may be reassuring news for Democrats in some of the competitive County Exec races. Some of the turnout numbers are tight enough to warrant extra energy from Dems:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Anne Arundel Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 6,169</li><li>Republicans = 5,282</li><li>Independents = 1,433</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Baltimore City Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 7,636</li><li>Republicans = 417</li><li>Independents = 326</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Baltimore County Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 11,259</li><li>Republicans = 4,334</li><li>Independents = 1,090</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Frederick County Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,698</li><li>Republicans = 1,538</li><li>Independents = 460</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Harford County Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Republicans = 2,967</li><li>Democrats = 2,657</li><li>Independents = 602</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Howard County Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 4,167</li><li>Republicans = 2,035</li><li>Independents = 775</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Montgomery County Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 7,909</li><li>Republicans = 1,962</li><li>Independents = 1,295</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Prince George's County Early Vote Turnout by Party (First 3 Days)</u></b>:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 12,443</li><li>Republicans = 878</li><li>Independents = 507</li></ol></blockquote><u><b>EARLY VOTE TURNOUT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY DELEGATE RACES</b></u>: In all 8 of Montgomery County's House of Delegate Districts, Democrats are turning out in far greater numbers than Republicans. My home District 20 has the highest Democratic turnout in MoCo, and here <u>Independents</u> are tied with Republicans for turnout. Meanwhile District 14 has the highest <u>overall </u>turnout (counting all parties):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 14 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,953 Total Votes</u></b></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,258</li><li>Republicans = 472</li><li>Independents = 317</li><li>Libertarians = 3</li><li>Greens = 0</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 15 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,161 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 709</li><li>Republicans = 275</li><li>Independents = 163</li><li>Libertarians = 5</li><li>Greens = 1</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 16 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,092 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 796</li><li>Republicans = 171</li><li>Independents = 119</li><li>Libertarians = 2</li><li>Greens = 0</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 17 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,242 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 835</li><li>Republicans = 234</li><li>Independents = 161</li><li>Libertarians = 2</li><li>Greens = 2</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 18 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,335 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 999</li><li>Republicans = 182</li><li>Independents = 136</li><li>Greens = 6</li><li>Libertarians = 0</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 19 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,676 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,220</li><li>Republicans = 257</li><li>Independents = 183</li><li>Greens = 4</li><li>Libertarians = 3</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 20 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,741 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,425</li><li>Republicans = 148</li><li>Independents = 148</li><li>Greens = 7</li><li>Libertarians = 3</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Maryland House District 39 Early Vote Turnout by Party = 1,070 Total Votes</u></b>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 666</li><li>Republicans = 222</li><li>Independents = 170</li><li>Libertarians = 3</li><li>Greens = 1</li></ol></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>EARLY VOTE TURNOUT IN A FEW SWING RACES</b></u>: Below we provide early vote turnout figures and party breakdowns in a few key races on the November ballot. Democratic turnout from the first three days of early voting looks okay across the board,<i> but there are a couple districts where the party needs to turn up the heat!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Senate District 3 Early Vote Turnout by Party (Ron Young vs. Corey Stottlemyer)</b></u>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,091</li><li>Republicans = 719</li><li>Independents = 246</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Senate District 42 Early Vote Turnout by Party (Jim Brochin vs. Tim Robinson)</b></u></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,062</li><li>Republicans = 683</li><li>Independents = 153</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Delegate District 9B Early Vote Turnout by Party (Tom Coale vs. Bob Flanagan)</b></u>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 742</li><li>Republicans = 506</li><li>Independents = 158</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Delegate District 12 (Eric Ebersole/Terri Hill/Clarence Lam vs. Gordon Bull/Joe Hooe/Rick Martel)</b></u></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,773</li><li>Republicans = 566</li><li>Independents = 220</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Delegate District 29B (John Bohanan vs. Deb Rey)</b></u></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 190</li><li>Republicans = 158</li><li>Independents = 40</li></ol><u><b>Delegate District 30A Early Vote Turnout by Party (Mike Busch/Chuck Ferrar vs. Herb McMillan/Genevieve Lindner)</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 1,384</li><li>Republicans = 839</li><li>Independents = 257</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Delegate District 38B Early Vote Turnout by Party (Norm Conway vs. Carl Anderton Jr)</b></u>&nbsp;</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats = 430</li><li>Republicans = 388</li><li>Independents = 85</li></ol><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: NATIONAL PARTIES NOW SPENDING IN MARYLAND // PLUS: OBAMA, CHRIS CHRISTIE &amp; THE CLINTONS CAMPAIGN IN MD</b></u> - As we head into the homestretch for Maryland's gubernatorial race, the national Democrats &amp; Republicans are engaging in a proxy battle in the Free State. Here are a few signs of activity from national politicians:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>HILLARY CLINTON TO RALLY FOR ANTHONY BROWN THIS THURSDAY</b></u>: So far Lt. Governor Anthony Brown's campaign has brought President Obama and former President Bill Clinton onto the campaign trail in Maryland. This Thursday, they are continuing the proxy battle with a rally with Hillary Clinton (<i>press release excerpt below</i>). You can RSVP at: <a href="http://www.anthonybrown.com/Oct30">http://www.anthonybrown.com/Oct30</a><br /><br />This event is free – supporters will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited and supporters must RSVP at www.anthonybrown.com/Oct30, or pick up tickets at a Democratic office listed here: www.anthonybrown.com/offices.<br /><br /><u>Who</u>: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, County Executive Ken Ulman, and the Maryland Democratic Team<br /><br /><u>What</u>: Early Vote event – Final push before polls close at 8 p.m. (Nearest Early Vote location is the College Park Community Center at 5051 Pierce Avenue, College Park, MD)<br /><br /><u>When</u>: <b>Thursday, October 30th, Doors open to the public at 2:45 pm</b><br /><br />Where: University of Maryland College Park, Ritchie Coliseum, 4533 Rossborough Lane, College&nbsp;</blockquote>Hillary Clinton's visit comes on the heels of an Anthony Brown rally with President Obama (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEAmHv_6q1s">TV news coverage</a>) and a fundraiser with President Bill Clinton (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YViYeFeM8M4">TV ad w/ Bill Clinton</a>). Meanwhile, Larry Hogan has enlisted New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmtlqFSDS9o">TV coverage</a>) to campaign for him in the Free State.<br /><br /><u><b>NATIONAL PARTY TV AD WARS</b></u>: Meanwhile, the Democratic Governor's Association (aka DGA) has now spent at least $1.15 million in deep Blue Maryland to shore up the Brown campaign. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/democratic-group-spends-another-400000-to-bolster-brown-campaign-in-md/2014/10/01/9d532e32-496b-11e4-891d-713f052086a0_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> reported on the ad buys</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: The DGA previously spent about $750,000 on three weeks of ads in the Baltimore market that attack Hogan’s record on social issues, including his past opposition to abortion rights.... The latest DGA outlay in the heavily Democratic state will keep ads on the air on Baltimore stations through mid-October. The purchase appears to be roughly $400,000, based on publicly available records and people familiar with the buy....</blockquote>To counter the DGA, the Republican Governor's Association (aka the RGA) has bought airtime in Maryland. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-governor-ads-20141023-story.html"><i>The Baltimore Sun</i> reported on the news</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: The RGA's intervention in the race in deep-blue Maryland reflects a growing hope in GOP circles that Hogan can score an upset despite the state's 2-1 Democratic registration advantage. The RGA's chairman, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, campaigned and raised funds for Hogan this week on his second visit to Maryland on Hogan's behalf. lRelated Distortions fly in race for governor POLITICS Distortions fly in race for governor SEE ALL RELATED 8 According to filings with the Federal Communication Commission, the RGA will spend $166,515 to advertise on WJZ-TV. The ad the group released Thursday is a 30-second spot rattling off taxes, fares and other charges that have gone up under Brown and Gov. Martin O'Malley....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: SENATORS RASKIN &amp; ZIRKIN BATTLING FOR CHAIR OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE</b></u> - One of the non-election stories politicos are currently following is the battle between State Senators Jamie Raskin &amp; Bobby Zirkin for Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. After all, not all of the hot races this year are electoral battles -- some of them relate to the assignment of leadership posts. This November, State Senator Brian Frosh is all but certain to be elected Maryland's next Attorney General, but Frosh also chairs the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee (aka JPR). With his looming departure from that post, Senate President Mike Miller will soon have to choose a replacement. <a href="http://www.centermaryland.org/index.php?option=com_easyblog&amp;view=entry&amp;id=1028"><i>Center Maryland</i> columnist Josh Kurtz recently highlighted the basics of the JPR battle</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>JOSH KURTZ VIA CENTER MARYLAND</b></u>: At first glance – and maybe even at second and third glance – it’s a no-brainer: A Harvard-educated constitutional scholar vs. a guy who advertises his ability to win dog bite cases prominently on his law firm website. Put another way, it’s a choice between a lawyer who wrote a best-selling book about the Supreme Court and a lawmaker who introduced a bill that would have prevented the wife of an Annapolis lobbyist from serving on the Baltimore County school board because the lawmaker didn’t like a natural gas pipeline project in his neighborhood that the lobbyist’s firm was promoting....<br /><br />By all accounts, the battle is between Montgomery County Sen. Jamie Raskin (D), an American University law professor and constitutional scholar, and Baltimore County Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D), the trial lawyer and pipeline foe. But [Senate President Mike] Miller’s decision isn’t as easy as one might expect given the two contenders’ credentials, because this is not an academic exercise – and the chairmanship of JPR is anything but an academic position. In fact, it’s become a major dilemma for Miller, the longest-serving Senate president on Planet Earth who once held the JPR gavel himself....</blockquote><u><b>WILL MOCO &amp; LIBERALS HAVE A ROLE IN THE STATE SENATE?</b></u> - But there is much more to the JPR battle than just the resumes of Senators Raskin &amp; Zirkin. The decision has much to do with the trajectory of the chamber, and Montgomery County's role in the future of the State Senate. With the exit of Senator Brian Frosh and the retirement of former Majority Leader Rob Garagiola, Montgomery County may soon be without any Senator in a senior leadership position in the state's upper chamber.<br /><br />Moreover, with the ever-increasing liberal bent to Maryland's Democratic electorate, the JPR battle foreshadows whether progressives in the State Senate will be given a correspondingly larger voice in the body. On this point, there are some similarities and some differences in voting record between Raskin &amp; Zirkin. Most notably, Zirkin voted against the Dream Act while Raskin supported the bill. The two Senators also disagree on whether landlords should be able to discriminate against tenants based on the form of payment for rent (eg: housing vouchers for veterans and low income residents). Raskin opposes discrimination against form of payment, while Zirkin supports it. <br /><br />That being said, both Senators voted <u>for</u> marriage equality and both support marijuana legalization. Both Senators also voted against corporate welfare for Lockheed Martin, and Zirkin ultimately joined Raskin in supporting death penalty repeal and transgender non-discrimination. In any case, we will likely not know how this story plays out until after the General Election is concluded.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: LOW PROFILE BALLOT QUESTIONS FACING VOTERS IN NOVEMBER // TRANSPORTATION LOCK BOX, COUNTY EXEC SPECIAL ELECTIONS &amp; MORE</b></u> - In addition to the state and county races on the ballot this year, there are some fairly interesting (albeit low-profile) ballot questions facing voters. We discuss the two statewide ballot questions and a Montgomery County-specific ballot question below:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b><span style="color: red;">QUESTION 1</span>: SHOULD MARYLAND LOCK-BOX ITS TRANSPORTATION FUNDS?</b></u> - This ballot question asks voters whether state lawmakers should be prohibited from spending transportation dollars on non-transportation budget items. The measure was placed on the ballot by the General Assembly as part of the gas tax negotiations during the last legislative session. The lockbox on the transportation trust fund dollars could be overturned through at 60% vote of the legislature during a fiscal emergency. <a href="http://voteformd1.com/supporters/">A vote "for" Question 1, is a vote for the lockbox and is recommended by a diverse range of groups</a> including the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Progressive Neighbors, The Baltimore Sun, The Gazette, various Chambers of Commerce, the carpenters union and supporters of the Red Line, Purple Line and CCT. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b><span style="color: red;">QUESTION 2</span>: SHOULD MARYLAND ALLOW COUNTIES TO FILL COUNTY EXEC VACANCIES THROUGH SPECIAL ELECTIONS? </b></u>- This ballot question asks voters whether Maryland should authorize counties to fill vacancies in the office of County Executive through special elections instead of appointments. In Montgomery County, for example, a County Exec vacancy would currently be filled through a vote of five members of the County Council. A vote "for" Question 2 is a vote to allow counties to use special elections and is recommended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and Progressive Neighbors. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b><span style="color: red;">MOCO QUESTION A</span>: SHOULD MOCO REQUIRE COUNCILMEMBERS TO LIVE IN THEIR DISTRICT AT THE TIME OF A PRIMARY, GENERAL &amp; VACANCY?</b></u> - This ballot question asks voters in Montgomery County whether candidates for District-based County Council seats must reside in their district at the time of a Primary Election and General Election or at the time a vacancy occurs. A vote "for" Question A is a vote to require residency and is recommended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and Progressive Neighbors. </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: MONTGOMERY COUNTY APPROVES PUBLIC FINANCING FOR COUNTY RACES STARTING IN THE 2018 CYCLE</b></u> - One major game-changer to local politics is that Montgomery County Councilmembers recently voted unanimously to adopt a "clean elections" public financing system for county races. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/montgomery-council-approves-plan-for-public-finance-of-local-campaigns/2014/09/30/b3e2b15c-482d-11e4-b72e-d60a9229cc10_story.html">The County Council sent the following press release discussing how the new system works</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL</b></u>: The Montgomery County Council today unanimously enacted Bill 16-14, which will allow candidates for County Council and County Executive to qualify for partial public financing for their campaigns. This is the first measure of its type for County elective offices in the Washington Region and in the State of Maryland.... The bill would establish a Public Election Fund. To qualify for public financing, a candidate would have to:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>File a Notice of Intent prior to collecting qualifying contributions</li><li>Establish a publicly funded campaign account</li><li>Only accept contributions from an individual of between $5 and $150</li><li>Refuse to accept a contribution from any group or organization, including a political action committee, a corporation, a labor organization or a State or local central action committee of a political party</li><li>Collect a qualifying number of contributions from County residents: 500 for County Executive candidates, 250 for at-large Council candidates and 125 for district Council candidates</li><li>Meet qualifying dollar thresholds of $40,000 for County Executive, $20,000 for at-large Councilmember and $10,000 for district CouncilmemberLimits are indexed to inflation</li><li>Only contributions from County residents are eligible for matching funds</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">The plan provides strong incentives for candidates to seek out many small individual contributors. Matching public dollars for County Executive candidates would be $6 for each dollar of the first $50 of a qualifying contribution received from a County resident, $4 for each dollar for the second $50 and $2 for each remaining dollar received up to the maximum contribution. Matching dollars for County Council candidates would be $4 for each dollar of the first $50 received from a County resident, $3 for each dollar for the second $50 and $2 for each remaining dollar received up to the maximum contribution.<br /><br />The maximum limit on public funds per candidate for either the primary election or the general election will be $750,000 for a County Executive candidate, $250,000 for a Council at-large candidate and $125,000 for a district Council candidate. Matching dollars would not be distributed for self/spouse contributions or to candidates running unopposed. </div></blockquote>Advocates are hopeful that the "clean elections" push will soon spread to other states and hopefully be adopted for state elections in coming years.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>That's it until next time! </b></i></span></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/10/early-vote-turnout-analysis-hillary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-7680598068135210351Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:21:00 +00002014-10-27T12:21:21.642-04:00baltimore red linebus rapid transitcctgus baumanmd vs vamontgomery countypurple linesilver linetransittransportation fundingGUEST POST: Warning from Former MoCo Planning Board Chair Gus Bauman on the MD vs. VA Transportation Battle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Former Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Gus Bauman provided Maryland Juice the following guest post on the transportation infrastructure race between Maryland and Virginia. His comments below were sent in two batches to County officials (once in 2009 and later in 2014). You can read his thoughts on the challenges facing Maryland below, triggered by the opening of the Northern Virginia WMATA Silver Line this past July:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GUS BAUMAN (CIRCA 2014)</b></u>: To the County Executive, Council Members, Planning Board Members: Tomorrow, July 26, 2014, at high noon, Montgomery County’s future will, in my judgment, have reached a tipping point. The Silver Line’s first phase to Tysons and Reston opens; five new Metro stations in prime areas of Fairfax County will change everything. Then it’s on to Dulles Airport.<br /><br />Recently, DC opened a new Metro station at NoMa. Development is exploding there. Alexandria, for its part, is nailing down the location of its new Metro station at the growing urban center of Potomac Yard. In short, as I see it, the economic future of our region is increasingly concentrating along the Blue and Orange and now Silver Lines. The cultural vibrancy of the DC area is rapidly consolidating around places like U St., 14th St., Ballston, Clarendon. Tysons and Potomac Yard will invariably follow.<br /><br />We must be candid with ourselves. Except for Silver Spring, Montgomery County has no place today that can realistically compete for the attentions and diverse demands of the all-important Uber Generation. I sent off a warning, called A Looming Challenge, about all this 4.5 years ago (see the attachment). We are now 4.5 years closer to our mutual future.</blockquote>Gus Bauman's 2014 comments are a follow-up to the following letter (aka attachment) he sent county officials in 2009:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GUS BAUMAN (CIRCA 2009)</b></u>: Dear County Executive Leggett, County Council President Floreen and Council Members, Planning Board Chairman Hanson and Planning Board Members; In recent days, I have had the opportunity to tour several major transportation projects being built in the DC region and to review materials related to the forthcoming impacts of those projects. I have come to the conviction that the cumulative impacts of these projects are about to transform profoundly how people will view the DC region and, by extension, Montgomery County's place in it. Because of the geographic positioning of these projects and the singular timing of their arrival, how Montgomery County views its future may well need reassessment.<br /><br />Consider the following.<br /><br />Immediately to Montgomery County's west, in Fairfax County, Metrorail's Silver Line is well under construction. In 2013, a little over three years from now, four stations will open in Tysons Corner alone. That is akin to the Gallery Place, Metro Center, Farragut North, and Dupont Circle Red Line stations all opening at once. Simultaneously, the Capital Beltway HOT lanes are well under construction along a 14 mile corridor, centered on Tysons Corner, in northern Virginia. They are scheduled to open in 2012. Tysons Corner is then poised to commence massive redevelopment of its 3,200 acres.<br /><br />To provide some sense of equivalent comparisons, downtown Bethesda covers 400 acres. The Life Sciences Center encompasses 900 acres. Immediately to Montgomery County's east, in Prince George's County, sits the future city of Konterra. It is ready to begin development once the Intercounty Connector (MD 200) interchanges with I-95. That will occur in 2012. Konterra covers 2,200 acres. Its ultimate scale will be enormous. Thus, just when we will likely have emerged from the Great Recession, the landscape we have been used to for so long will be radically changing on Montgomery County's western and eastern borders. Even before this coming upheaval in the region, looking at just one indicator of the long-current status quo should give one pause in Montgomery County. Already, of the 20 busiest Metrorail stations, fully 18 are in DC, Arlington County, and Fairfax County. Shady Grove is the 14th busiest and Silver Spring the 15th (Bethesda is the 21st). Once the Silver Line starts service in 2013 (and later continues westward to Dulles Airport), a more pronounced shift of the region's economic resources away from Montgomery County can reasonably be expected if current assumptions are not reexamined. And Konterra will likewise be pulling significant economic resources eastward.<br /><br />Nothing I have stated is to begrudge our neighbors the creative initiatives they have embarked upon. It is all to their credit. But these huge initiatives, centered on imminent alterations to the region's transportation network west and east of Montgomery County, will likely shift the dynamic of growth, and life, within the County as well as the region. Of course, Montgomery County is not standing still. It also stands to gain from MD 200's interchange with I-270 as well as the County's plans for the I-270/MD 355 corridor.<br /><br />Yet, I would respectfully suggest that the County's future-thinking needs to focus more on Montgomery's realworld position in a highly competitive region about to change dramatically on our borders. The looming challenge now posed by what is just around the corner should not be permitted to sap Montgomery County's viability within a strong region.</blockquote>Mr. Bauman's comments mirror <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/08/juice-analysis-of-governors-race.html">Maryland Juice's own worries about Virginia's significant investments in transit infrastructure in recent months</a>. </div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/10/guest-post-warning-from-former-moco.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3288695513353594676Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:30:00 +00002014-08-16T10:14:54.499-04:00anthony brownbaltimore red linebus rapid transitcctlarry hoganmd vs vapurple linetransittransportation fundingJUICE: Analysis of Governor's Race Between Anthony Brown & Larry Hogan, MD Transportation Funding Crisis and More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland&nbsp; Juice provides a round-up of news of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: ANTHONY BROWN VS. LARRY HOGAN ANALYSIS // IS THIS GOING TO BE A CLOSE GUBERNATORIAL RACE?</b></u> - Maryland Juice had been hearing about a poll for November's gubernatorial race allegedly showing Lt. Governor Anthony Brown ahead by only single digits against GOP activist Larry Hogan. I had not actually seen a copy of the polling memo, but earlier this week <a href="http://centermaryland.org/index.php?option=com_easyblog&amp;view=entry&amp;id=1005&amp;Itemid=286"><i>Center Maryland</i> columnist Josh Kurtz wrote that he was shown a copy of the results</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CENTER MARYLAND</b></u>: A recent statewide poll that was shared with me the other day, which was not conducted for either of the candidates for governor, showed Brown with a 46 percent to 40 percent lead over Hogan. The survey was taken by a highly reputable D.C.-based pollster who has vast experience querying Maryland voters. So, a 6-point lead. Not time to hit the panic button, if you’re a Democrat. But nothing to be too comfortable about, either. Could Brown lose? It’s hard to see at this point....</blockquote><a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2014-maryland-governor-hogan-vs-brown">Previous polls in the Brown-Hogan race</a> (as recent as July 2014) showed Brown with dougle-digit leads against Hogan, so I'm slightly skeptical about the accuracy of the supposed 6-digit Brown lead. It's hard to tell where that number is coming from without looking at the turnout modeling and the sample used in the new poll. If you have a copy of the results and care to share them, feel free to send them to david@marylandjuice.com.<br /><br /><u><b>RECENT HISTORY OF TURNOUT IN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS</b></u>: In the meantime, here are a few shorthand numbers showing the difficulties facing the Maryland GOP in November. First, in 2010 (the last gubernatorial General Election), we witnessed a match-up between two candidates who had both served as Governor: Martin O'Malley and Bob Ehrlich. Note that 2010 was a fairly low turnout election year, and we were then in the midst of the national Tea Party wave. <a href="http://www.elections.state.md.us/press_room/2010_stats/gg_pp_statewide.pdf">Here's how many Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated voters turned out in 2010</a>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats 993,674 (50.77% Turnout)</li><li>Republicans 546,962 (59.09% Turnout)</li><li>Unaffiliated 168,634 (35.39% Turnout) </li></ul>As you can see, even in a bad turnout year for Democrats, Republicans are still far outnumbered -- <i>even if every independent voter who showed up voted with the GOP</i>.&nbsp; <br /><br /><u><b>PARTISAN POLARIZATION IN MARYLAND</b></u>: Has the political world changed enough since 2010 to produce a plausible Republican victory? I am skeptical. For that to happen, there would need to a huge number of persuadable/movable voters within the state's Democratic and unaffiliated voter pools. But one insightful analysis of the 2010 O'Malley-Ehrlich election cycle indicates that Maryland has America's most polarized electorate, meaning that there are hard lines between Democratic and Republican voters -- <i>with very few swing voters that will shift allegiances</i>. In 2011, <a href="http://districtindex.blogspot.com/2011/07/omalley-in-2016-rising-from-sea-of-blue.html">the Legislative District Index blog highlighted Maryland's unique electorate</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>LDI BLOG</b></u>: <span style="background-color: yellow;">Maryland is by far the most polarized state we have come across</span>. Sure, there are other states with districts far more Democratic than the rest, but that is a natural feature - metro areas are going to produce these sort of bumps. But generically, the middle 50% of districts are within a fairly narrow electoral band +/- 10% or so. Now, those districts might favor one party of the other, but the central point is that there is a large swath of the electorate that is of a relatively similar composition - the ability to win them over to your side probably translates into electoral success for your party.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: yellow;">In Maryland however, that middle section is totally absent. I believe the kind of data we're seeing here makes a strong case for campaigning to your base rather than the middle in Maryland, as there isn't a homogenous middle-group to court</span>. It immediately brings to mind some of the ridiculous cynical campaign tactics employed by the Ehrlich and Steele campaigns - fake brochures advertising Republicans as Democrats, ground campaigns to designed to cause confusion and uncertainty within the Democratic base, rather than winning over those middle, "independent", Maryland voters. While their tactics were absolutely indefensible, they were operating them along the only path to victory they saw - bolstering turnout among their supporters, and counting on that huge Democratic base to miss out on election day.....</blockquote><u><b>LARRY HOGAN PIVOT?</b></u> - We're already seeing GOP gubernatorial nominee Larry Hogan half-heartedly trying to remain in contention with the state's moderate voters. For example, <a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=3760"><i>The Seventh State</i> blog noted that a secessionist candidate narrowly won a Republican Primary for the Anne Arundel County Council</a>, and Hogan was quick to distance himself from the crazy (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>SEVENTH STATE</b></u>: Anne Arundel County Council Candidate Michael Peroutka was until recently the rare political bird who refused to talk to the media. When he finally did agree to talk to reporters, one cannot help but think that the original refusal was the better bet....<br /><br />Peroutka has been active in the John Birch Society but it is his current board membership on the League of the South that has attracted scrutiny. Labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the League advocates secession from the U.S. Indeed, the video above shows Peroutka asking people to “stand for the national anthem” of Dixie–not the Star-Spangled Banner....<br /><br />As a result, Republicans have started running for the hills. Gubernatorial Candidate Larry Hogan wisely didn’t wait to disassociate himself from Peroutka and his campaign says that Hogan “absolutely disavows” him. Peroutka now whines that Hogan didn’t “dialogue” with him.....</blockquote>But is distancing yourself from a local candidate advocating for secession enough to win over Democratic and independent voters in a liberal state like Maryland? I hardly think so.<br /><br /><u><b>OTHER FACETS TO THE 2014 GUBERNATORIAL RACE</b></u>: In contrast to 2010, Anthony Brown (who has been on the statewide ballot twice) will be more well-known by voters than first-time candidate Larry Hogan. Moreover, the 2014 primary turnout differences between Democrats and Republicans were quite vast, even with contested races for both parties:<br /><br /><u><b>2014 ELECTION DAY &amp; EARLY VOTE PRIMARY TURNOUT (BY PARTY)</b></u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Democrats: 470,528</li><li>Republicans 217,707</li></ul><u><b>IMPACT OF FUNDRAISING ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE</b></u>: One final note to consider is the fundraising differentials between Anthony Brown and Larry Hogan. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/republican-larry-hogan-to-use-public-funds-in-fall-campaign-for-governor-of-maryland/2014/07/09/079576c6-0770-11e4-bbf1-cc51275e7f8f_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> John Wagner recently highlighted the impact of Larry Hogan's decision</a> to use public financing for his campaign (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: The Republican nominee for Maryland governor, Larry Hogan, has become the first candidate in 20 years to participate in the state’s public financing system in the fall election, a move likely to leave his campaign with far less money to spend than his Democratic opponent.<br /><br />Hogan will receive a grant of about $2.6 million from the state, and his campaign will not be allowed to spend more than that on the race, election officials said Wednesday. The decision cements Hogan’s financial disadvantage in the race against Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, who spent about $9 million this year to win the Democratic primary and has started to replenish his war chest....</blockquote>One wrinkle to these fundraising dynamics is that since Hogan is receiving public financing, he will have access to cash much quicker than Anthony Brown. The Lt. Governor likely had to spend down the millions he raised during the primary for his battle against Doug Gansler and Heather Mizeur. Indeed, as of June 8th (before the primary was completed), the Friends of Anthony Brown campaign account had only $543,510.55 cash on hand.<br /><br />So as I see it, to keep the Brown campaign on track to defeat Larry Hogan, our Lt. Governor needs to start rebuilding his cash advantage as quick as possible and should start finding ways to excite the Democratic base in our highly polarized state. <b><i>But hey, what do I know!&nbsp; Just my two cents.</i></b><br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: BALLOT QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT // MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING CRISIS AND SPECIAL ELECTION</b></u>S - MoCo's new political blogger <a href="http://mocopoliticsbypmb.blogspot.com/2014/07/questions-on-moco-ballot-in-november.html">Paul Bessel highlighted two ballot questions that voters will get to weigh in on this November</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PAUL BESSEL</b></u>: This year (November 4, 2014) there will be two proposed Maryland Constitutional Amendments on the ballot.... That's fewer ballot questions than in many previous years. <br /><br /><span style="background-color: yellow;">The first ballot question asks voters if the Maryland Constitution should be amended to make it more difficult for money in or intended to go into the state's Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to be used for purposes other than transportation</span>. In the past, this money was sometimes used to balance the overall state budget, not for transportation needs. <br /><br />If this Constitutional amendment is adopted, in the future any use of this TTF money other than for transportation would first need a formal statement by the Governor that there is a "fiscal emergency" and then 60% of each house of the legislature would have to approve it.<br /><br />The other proposed Constitutional amendment would allow counties such as MoCo to provide for special elections to fill any vacancies in the office of County Executive, just as now can be done for vacancies on the County Council....</blockquote><u><b>MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING CRISIS</b></u>: Of the two ballot questions, I find the one about the Transportation Trust Fund to be the more intriguing one. By all measures, the United States and Maryland are facing huge transportation funding crises. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/senate-moves-to-patch-transportation-funding/2014/07/29/5cf51ade-1758-11e4-9349-84d4a85be981_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Ashley Halsey reported on the political contours of the national infrastructure funding problem</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Fearful they may lose the Senate in November, Democrats want to force Congress to come up with a long-term method to pay for transportation funding in the lame duck session. Republicans, hopeful they will be in control next year, want to set a May 31 deadline for the task....<br /><br />The issue is of mind-numbing complexity and might be ignored were it not for the fact that, without a temporary funding extension and then a long-term plan to find new revenue, federal money to build and maintain the nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems will begin to run dry in August.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: yellow;">The Highway Trust Fund that relies primarily on fuel taxes no longer brings in enough cash to pay the bills submitted by the states. The White House has warned that it will run into the red next month, requiring an immediate infusion of money to keep current projects going, and then a creative way to bring in more revenue for the long haul</span>....</blockquote>Indeed, infrastructure funding has never been a sexy priority for policymakers -- until we start seeing levies break and bridges fall (aka after the damage has already been done). But closer to home, the problem for Maryland is one of economic stagnation, especially while Virginia is now kicking our asses in quickly building 21st century transit projects.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>VIRGINIA CRUSHING MARYLAND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT</b></u></span>: I truly believe that Northern Virginia's faster build-out and funding of transit projects is a much greater threat to Maryland than their lower tax rates. Virginia, after all, has <i>always</i> had lower taxes than Maryland, but their race to build infrastructure is a new development. Take a look what's going on in the former heart of the confederacy:<br /><br /><u><b>WASHINGTON METRO SILVER LINE TO VIRGINIA OPENS</b></u>: In case you haven't heard, the new WMATA Silver Line to Virginia has opened. <i><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/24/silver-line-opening-will-be-a-boon-for-northern-vi/?page=all">The Washington Times</a> </i>provided a hint about the economic development impact of this transit project for the state (<i>excerpt below</i>).<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON TIMES</b></u>: Gerald Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax Economic Authority, said the commitment to the Silver Line was crucial to the area economy. “The initial impact of the Silver Line was having major corporations come to Tysons specifically because of the Silver Line and having companies remain in Tysons because of it,” Mr. Gordon said....<br /><br /><span style="background-color: yellow;">The Fairfax Board of Supervisors is expecting almost 100,000 jobs to be added by 2050 as a result of the line</span>, according to a 2010 report. Mr. Gordon said the line will help establish Tysons as a major city — not just in the region but the world. “You can’t be a world-class city unless you have a rail system,” Mr. Gordon said. “Now we can compete with cities that do have a rail system and become a world-renowned city.”</blockquote>Here's a video about Virginia's Silver Line:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Bkg9bH-8NE8" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b>VIRGINIA "METROWAY" BRT SERVICE OPENS THIS MONTH</b></u>: Coming right off the heels of the Silver Line opening, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2014/07/08/a-new-bus-experience-is-coming-to-northern-virginia-its-called-metroway/"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Luz Lazo reports that Northern Virginia will this month also open a new "bus rapid transit" system</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: The Washington region’s first bus rapid transit system is set to open next month. The service, called Metroway, will feature bus-only lanes along a five-mile stretch of roadway in Crystal City and Potomac Yard in Arlington and Alexandria. It introduces a new bus experience to the Washington region: buses will travel much of the route traffic-free, they will be frequent, and riders eventually will be able to pay their fare before boarding. Buses will serve stops equipped with shelters, benches and lighting between the Braddock Road and Crystal City Metro stations....<br /><br />The service will offer faster rides and shorter waits at the bus stop. Buses will travel most of the route in bus-only lanes. Bus rapid transit is viewed as a way to speed public transit without the huge costs involved in building rail lines.... “We are extremely pleased to launch Metroway in the (Crystal City-Potomac Yard) Corridor, a first for Metro and the region,” Metro General Manager Richard Sarles said in a statement. “This new premium service will provide faster commutes, better connection to existing and developing retail areas, and expand economic growth within the Arlington and Alexandria communities along Route 1.”</blockquote>Here's a video about the Virginia Metroway BRT system:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WY_ZD-4eElg" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b>NORTHERN VIRGINIA STREETCAR PROJECT GETS FUNDING</b></u>: Lastly, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-will-add-65-million-to-columbia-pike-streetcar-project/2014/07/11/486bf19a-090d-11e4-a0dd-f2b22a257353_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's </i>Patricia Sullivan reported last month that Virginia policymakers have dumped funding into a streetcar project</a> expected to generate a large revenue boost (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Virginia will increase state funding for the controversial Columbia Pike streetcar project by up to $65 million, the state transportation chief told officials in Arlington and Fairfax counties this week, allowing the streetcar line to be built at least a year faster and without federal funds.... The long-planned streetcar line, which is expected to run from the Skyline area of Fairfax to the Pentagon City Metro station, has been projected to cost about $358 million. Arlington dropped that estimate to $333 million Friday because of the faster completion time. County officials hope it will be done by 2020....<br /><br />Not using federal funds means that the county can assume its normal inflation rate of 3 percent for the project, not the federal transit agency-suggested 4 percent. Local elected officials say no homeowner-financed general obligation bonds or residential taxes would go toward building the project, although operating costs are expected to be borne by taxpayers.... The project is closely tied to Arlington’s plans for redeveloping the aging corridor, which county officials say will preserve more than 6,000 affordable apartments for several decades.<br /><br />A county-funded consultant’s study released in March said <span style="background-color: yellow;">the streetcar would generate $3.2 billion to $4.4 billion in new real estate value for Arlington and Fairfax counties over 30 years. It also estimated that the streetcar would produce $455 million to $895 million in new tax revenue for both counties over 30 years, attract 6,600 new jobs within 10 years, and increase state income and sales taxes</span>....</blockquote>Here's a rendering of the <a href="http://projects.arlingtonva.us/projects/columbia-pike-streetcar/">Northern Virginia streetcar project</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gPm43pmmeg/U-5WJzq_gGI/AAAAAAAAHWY/fGkl26GCnMU/s1600/streetcar-project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gPm43pmmeg/U-5WJzq_gGI/AAAAAAAAHWY/fGkl26GCnMU/s1600/streetcar-project.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b>WHAT DOES VIRGINIA'S TRANSIT PUSH MEAN FOR MARYLAND?</b></u> - So while Maryland policymakers have fixated on Virginia's tax rates, our neighbors have been focusing on something else altogether: building modern transit infrastructure that will attract investment, boost tax revenues, and provide better commutes for residents.<br /><br />Notably, Maryland has multiple transit projects on the books (Baltimore's Red Line, the Montgomery County/Prince George's Purple Line, the Corridor Cities Transitway, the Montgomery County rapid transit system, etc). But it seems quite likely that all of Virginia's transit projects will be funded and built before Maryland even breaks ground on any of its new transit lines. Given these facts, can we really afford to pay for these projects (that are critical to economic development), if we continue on the path of voluntarily cutting our revenues (eg: through more tax cuts)?<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: FBI DEBATING MOVING HEADQUARTERS FROM DC TO PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY</b></u> - One bright spot in our regional competition for jobs, is that the feds are thinking about moving the FBI headquarters (and its 11,000 jobs) to Prince George's County. <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2014/07/gsa-narrows-fbi-search-to-springfield-prince.html?page=all"><i>The Washington Business Journal</i> reported on the development</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL</b></u>: After more than a year of anticipation, the General Services Administration on Tuesday named three sites — one in Springfield and two in Prince George's County — on its short list of potential locations for a new FBI headquarters.<br /><br />Greenbelt and the Landover Mall in Prince George's and the GSA warehouse in Springfield in Fairfax County made the list, ruling out a range of wildcards such as the Westphalia Town Center and Exxon Mobil's Merrifield campus. The short list excludes D.C. from the running, but many real estate experts regarded Mayor Vincent Gray's proposal, Poplar Point, as a long shot at best.<br /><br />The Greenbelt and Springfield sites were long expected to be high on the GSA's short list, while Lerner Enterprises surprised many by offering up the former Landover Mall as a contender in January. Lerner Enterprises is owned by the Lerner family, which also owns the Washington Nationals....<br /><br /><span style="background-color: yellow;">The new headquarters, which will house 11,000 employees, must be at least 2.1 million square feet and will cost an estimated $2 billion to build</span>. Sites were required to be no more than 2 miles from a Metro station and 2.5 miles from the Capital Beltway....</blockquote><br />Will Maryland beat out Virginia on at least this project? <i><b>We shall see!</b></i></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/08/juice-analysis-of-governors-race.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-6180866498765768997Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:16:00 +00002014-08-13T13:14:41.419-04:002014 primarydemocratic primaryearly votingmaryland demsmaryland gopmontgomery countyrepublican primaryvoter turnoutTURNOUT ANALYSIS: What's Really Going On? // Maryland Juice Dissects Voter Turnout in the June 2014 Primary Elections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;"><u><b>UPDATE</b></u><b>:&nbsp; </b></span>When I first went live with the post below, I didn't have complete numbers of independent voters in each Maryland county. We've now updated the post with these figures (Hat-tip to Maryland Reporter's Len Lazarick for pointing us in the right direction), along with an explanation of how counties without nonpartisan primaries have inflated turnout percentages. I've also added some information on counties where independent voters are outpacing Republicans. <i>Scroll down for these updates below.</i><br /><br /><u><b>THE FUTURE OF MARYLAND JUICE</b></u>: Alrighty folks, after months of absence, Maryland Juice is back in action! Before I kick-off a lengthy article about voter turnout in Maryland, I thought I'd take a second to discuss some changes that this blog will be pursuing in the coming months.<br /><br />In case you haven't heard, I won my Democratic Primary election for the House of Delegates, and that means that by the time the legislative session starts in January 2015, I'll have to step back from my writing duties. But not to worry -- over the course of the next few months, I hope to introduce a new set of writers who will keep the Juice torch and information pipeline burning into the future. In 2015, I&nbsp; may still write an article here or there, but likely not with the vigor and frequency you've become accustomed to (for various obvious reasons). In any case, keep your eyes open as we roll out new Juicers in 2014! Now onto my first article in over three months....<br /><br /><u><b>MARYLAND JUICE 2014 PRIMARY ELECTION TURNOUT ANALYSIS</b></u> - Numerous political pundits have fretted about Maryland's declining voter turnout, especially in Democratic strongholds like Montgomery County. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/montgomery-council-members-take-exception-to-minor-league-knock/2014/07/24/34f360a4-1299-11e4-8936-26932bcfd6ed_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Bill Turque commented</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: There’s been much opining among Montgomery’s elected officials about the anemic primary turnout last month, when just 16 percent of registered voters came to the polls. They cited, among other factors, the inconvenience of the new June 24 election date, the lack of urgent issues, and a less-than compelling primary race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination at the top of the ballot....</blockquote>Turque's article was triggered by <a href="http://www.centermaryland.org/index.php?option=com_easyblog&amp;view=entry&amp;id=986&amp;Itemid=178">a feisty piece from Center Maryland columnist and Montgomery County resident Josh Kurtz</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CENTER MARYLAND</b></u>: At presidential election time, voter turnout in Montgomery County is pretty decent: Almost three-quarters of enrolled voters showed up at the polls on Election Day 2012 to choose between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney....&nbsp; But when it comes to acting locally, when it comes to selecting their leaders at the state and county levels, Montgomery County residents fail miserably.<br /><br />In the recent statewide primary, just 16 percent of registered voters in Montgomery County bothered to vote. Sixteen percent!.... That’s lower voter turnout than in Garrett County (27 percent), where cousins marry, or in Somerset County (24 percent), where the raging issue is chicken waste, or in Baltimore city (22 percent), where they’re selling drugs on every street corner, or in Prince George’s County (18 percent), where every public official has a palm extended.....</blockquote>But to accurately build a solution to the problem of "low turnout," it helps to understand what's really going on.&nbsp; Indeed, rushed analyses have led some to hastily conclude that recent voting reforms like early voting were "unsuccessful" and that we are in some sort of existential crisis in Maryland with respect to civic engagement. However, many variables impacting voter turnout (eg: demographic changes, resident turnover, and the national mood) are out of state and local policymakers' control. Below are a few points to consider about turnout trends in Maryland and Montgomery County.<br /><br /><b><u>RAW DEMOCRATIC PARTY ELECTION DAY TURNOUT BY COUNTY</u></b>: First, not all voters are the same. Turnout in Maryland varied wildly depending on your party registration, and all is not what it seems. In terms of <u>raw</u> Democratic Party turnout, simply more Democrats from Montgomery County voted at the polls on election day than Democrats from <u>any other county</u>:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" frame="VOID" rules="NONE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"> <colgroup><col width="133"></col><col width="86"></col><col width="176"></col></colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px solid #000000;" width="133"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">COUNTY</span></b></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px solid #000000;" width="86"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">PARTY</span></b></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px solid #000000;" width="176"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">PRIMARY TURNOUT</span></b></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Montgomery</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">68,179</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Prince George's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">64,982</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Baltimore County</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">59,980</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Baltimore City</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">51,730</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Anne Arundel</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">24,655</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Howard</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">19,193</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Charles</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">12,314</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Harford</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">11,795</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Frederick</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">11,201</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Carroll</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">6,306</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Calvert</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">4,451</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Washington</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">4,433</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Saint Mary's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">4,023</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Cecil</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">3,508</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Wicomico</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">3,349</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Allegany</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">2,748</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Queen Anne's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">2,303</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Worcester</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">2,173</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Dorchester</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">1,952</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Talbot</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">1,888</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Kent</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">1,299</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Caroline</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">1,018</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Somerset</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">919</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Garrett</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">790</span></td> </tr></tbody></table><br />If you include early voters, Montgomery County was <u>second place</u> in Maryland for raw Democratic turnout - Prince George's was first, Baltimore County was third, and Baltimore City was fourth.<br /><br /><u><b>% OF ELIGIBLE DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT BY PARTY</b></u> - One caveat to MoCo's large Democratic turnout should be noted. Even though more MoCo Dems turned out than Dems around the state, Montgomery County's turnout ranking does indeed drop when looking at the <i>percentage</i> of eligible Democrats who participated (as opposed to the absolute number of Democrats who voted).<br /><br />But even still, in terms of the <u>percentage</u> of Democrats turning out for the primary election, Montgomery County was in a respectable 8th place out of 24 counties (including early voters). Of the large jurisdictions, only Baltimore County Democrats turned out at a <u>rate</u> higher than Montgomery. Prince George's was in 14th place, and Baltimore City was in 17th place:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" frame="VOID" rules="NONE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"> <colgroup><col width="133"></col><col width="86"></col><col width="147"></col></colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px solid #000000;" width="133"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">COUNTY</span></b></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px solid #000000;" width="86"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">PARTY</span></b></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 3px solid #000000;" width="147"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">TURNOUT_TOTAL</span></b></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Kent</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">30.22%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Queen Anne's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">28.68%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Howard</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">27.77%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Talbot</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">26.94%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Baltimore County</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">26.51%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Charles</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">26.18%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Frederick</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">25.05%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Montgomery</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">23.90%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Harford</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">23.77%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Carroll</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">23.55%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Calvert</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">23.08%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Dorchester</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">22.90%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Anne Arundel</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">22.85%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Baltimore City</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">22.75%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Garrett</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">20.79%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Allegany</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">19.90%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Prince George's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">19.46%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Cecil</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">19.02%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Saint Mary's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">18.96%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Worcester</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">18.49%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Caroline</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">18.44%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Somerset</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">17.70%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Wicomico</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">16.82%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Washington</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">DEM</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">15.80%</span></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><u><b>MOCO'S POPULATION SURGE DISTORTS ITS TURNOUT PERCENTAGES</b></u>: In other words, MoCo's sheer size of population means that we have among the most Democrats who vote in Maryland, but we also have a large number of MoCo Democrats who do not vote, thereby bringing down Montgomery County's turnout percentages. Why might this be?<br /><br /><a href="http://mocopoliticsbypmb.blogspot.com/">MoCo Democrat Paul Bessel recently launched a new blog</a> where he delved into some of these turnout dynamics. One of the facts he pointed out is that Montgomery County has had a <i>huge</i> surge in Democratic voter registrations over the last 14 years. Based on his graph below, MoCo had about 230,000 Democrats in 2000 compared with about 355,000 in 2014:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF9X8TLwxgg/U-pTzFuEVII/AAAAAAAAHV4/v1nl2eRXfGU/s1600/bessell+dem+registration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF9X8TLwxgg/U-pTzFuEVII/AAAAAAAAHV4/v1nl2eRXfGU/s1600/bessell+dem+registration.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b>NUMBER OF MOCO DEMOCRATS VOTING BASICALLY UNCHANGED IN OVER 2 DECADES</b></u> - MoCo Democrats have basically voted in equal numbers over the last couple decades, even while our turnout rate has dropped. How can that be? Some historical Democratic turnout numbers provided by Jonathan Shurberg provide some insight.<br /><br />Here is one telling comparison. In 1990, roughly 86,000 MoCo Democrats voted out of 195,000. In 2014, roughly 84,000 MoCo Democrats voted. So the raw turnout is almost the same, <u>but</u> today there are 354,000 Democrats on the rolls in Montgomery County. <br /><br /><u><b>Montgomery County Democratic Turnout (Gubernatorial Primary Years)</b></u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>1990</u>: <span style="background-color: yellow;">86,167 turnout out of 195,523</span> registered Dems (44.07%)</li><li><u>1994</u>: 89,452 turnout out of 217,007 registered Dems (41.22%)</li><li><u>1998</u>: 75,485 turnout out of 227,863 registered Dems (33.13%)</li><li><u>2002</u>: 110,518 turnout out of 246,779 registered Dems (44.78%)</li><li><u>2006</u>: 108,337 turnout out of 271,008 registered Dems (39.98%)</li><li><u>2010</u>: 83,827 turnout out of 321,759 registered Dems (26.05%)</li><li><u>2014</u>: <span style="background-color: yellow;">84,622 turnout out of 354,078</span> registered Dems (23.90%)</li></ul>It is worth noting that the two election cycles with unusually high turnout for MoCo Democrats both occurred during the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld era (2002-2006). Extrapolate what you will from that data point.<br /><br /><u><b>A PROBLEM FOR THE NEW MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE</b></u> - What all of this tells me is that as MoCo's population has surged over the last couple decades, we have likely failed to engage all of the new Democratic registrants that have chosen to reside here.&nbsp; MoCo's Democratic turnout stayed the same over 24 years even though we added over 150,000 new Democrats to the voter rolls (almost twice as many as vote in Primaries).<br /><br />Indeed, the vast majority of candidates seeking office in Montgomery County (and everywhere else) spend most of their resources contacting voters with a demonstrated history of voting in Democratic Primaries (aka the decisive elections). As a result, save for the occasional nonprofit voter mobilization drive, there is really nobody trying to pump primary turnout by engaging new registrants and less likely voters <u>in primaries</u>. This seems like a challenge for MoCo's new Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) to tackle. After all, we are living in a new world in Maryland politics, where literally zero Republicans hold elected office in Montgomery County. It seems sensible that the MCDCC should shift its activities to meet the evolving needs of our county's politics.<br /><br /><br /><u><b>SO WHY DOES MOCO HAVE THE OVERALL LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT RATE IN MARYLAND?</b></u> - Okay, so now that we've got the Democratic turnout analysis out of the way, it still remains true that MoCo had terrible turnout when looking at voters from all parties. When you look at turnout figures from voters of all parties and unaffiliated voters, Montgomery County had the <i>lowest</i> turnout <u>percentage</u> in all of Maryland <u>but</u> we still had the <i>second highest</i> number of <u>actual voters</u> in the state this year. See these tables of overall voter turnout from all parties below:<br /><br /><u><b>MARYLAND COUNTIES - % OF ELIGIBLE VOTER TURNOUT&nbsp; (ALL PARTIES)</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Talbot - 35.22% </li><li>Kent - 30.60%</li><li>Dorchester - 29.00%&nbsp;</li><li>Queen Anne's - 28.33% </li><li>Garrett - 26.62%</li><li>Baltimore County - 24.68%&nbsp; </li><li>Carroll - 24.53%</li><li>Somerset - 24.43% </li><li>Anne Arundel - 24.25%</li><li>Caroline - 24.19% </li><li>Cecil - 23.60%</li><li>Frederick - 23.34% </li><li>Baltimore City - 21.65%</li><li>Charles - 21.47% </li><li>Harford - 21.26%</li><li>Wicomico - 20.24% </li><li>Worcester - 20.21% </li><li>Allegany - 19.95% </li><li>Calvert - 19.24%</li><li>Prince George's - 18.00% </li><li>Saint Mary's - 16.77%</li><li>Washington - 16.54% </li><li><span style="background-color: yellow;">Montgomery - 16.34%</span></li></ol><br /><u><b>MARYLAND COUNTIES - RAW VOTER TURNOUT&nbsp; (ALL PARTIES)</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Baltimore County - 105,171</li><li><span style="background-color: yellow;">Montgomery - 103,000</span></li><li>Prince George's - 91,782 </li><li>Baltimore City - 70,508</li><li>Anne Arundel - 65,396</li><li>Howard - 38,946 </li><li>Frederick - 34,872</li><li>Harford - 33,773 </li><li>Carroll - 28,049</li><li>Charles - 21,441 </li><li>Washington - 14,765 </li><li>Calvert - 11,571</li><li>Cecil - 11,258</li><li>Saint Mary's - 10,773</li><li>Wicomico - 9,495 </li><li>Queen Anne's - 9,297 </li><li>Allegany - 8,460</li><li>Talbot - 7,714 </li><li>Worcester - 6,424 </li><li>Dorchester - 5,138 </li><li>Garrett - 5,102</li><li>Caroline - 3,625</li><li>Kent - 3,257</li><li>Somerset - 2,803</li></ol><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">UPDATED</span>: UNAFFILIATED VOTERS DRIVE DOWN TOTAL TURNOUT PERCENTAGES</b></u> - Maryland Juice would point readers to some fairly obvious facts that may explain why MoCo had overall turnout of 16%, even while MoCo Democrats turned out at nearly 24%. First, Montgomery County now has 147,000 voters who are not registered with any party. Since Maryland Democrats and Republicans have closed primaries (meaning only registered party members can vote), independent voters have very little reason to turnout for primary elections. Indeed, in MoCo only 2.59% of unaffiliated voters participated in the June 2014 primary election. <br /><br />Moreover, as Maryland Reporter's Len Lazarick pointed out to me, multiple counties have no races where independents are eligible to vote in primaries. Montgomery County, for example, has nonpartisan school board races, while other counties do not. As a result, counties <i>without</i> nonpartisan races will appear to have higher voter turnout percentages than the rest (where anemic turnout from independents drags down the countywide participation rates). The counties <i>without</i> nonpartisan primaries are: Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Somerset, and Wicomico.<br /><br />What's more, MoCo has a much larger number of independent voters than many other Democratic strongholds, according to the Board of Elections stats as of May 2014. Indeed, there are now more MoCo independents (147,904) than Republicans (122,349). Below you can see the numbers of <a href="http://www.elections.state.md.us/pdf/vrar/2014_05.pdf">unaffiliated voters in each county</a>:<br /><br /><u><b>MARYLAND REGISTERED INDEPENDENTS BY COUNTY</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Montgomery - 147,904</li><li>Baltimore County - 83,015</li><li>Anne Arundel - 74,718</li><li>Prince George's - 60,039 </li><li>Baltimore City - 46,313</li><li>Howard - 43,623</li><li>Frederick - 33,625</li><li>Harford - 30,505</li><li>Carroll - 21,560</li><li>Washington - 17,854</li><li>Charles - 16,399</li><li>Cecil - 13,249 </li><li>Saint Mary's - 12,767</li><li>Calvert - 12,012</li><li>Wicomico - 10,342 </li><li>Worcester - 6,545 </li><li>Allegany - 6,428</li><li>Queen Anne's - 5,906</li><li>Talbot - 4,451</li><li>Caroline - 3,427</li><li>Dorchester - 2,715</li><li>Garrett - 2,311 </li><li>Kent - 1,918</li><li>Somerset - 1,718</li></ol>It should be obvious that if Montgomery County has significantly more independent voters than other counties, and these voters cannot vote in most races in primary elections, these voters will not turnout (as demonstrated by their 2.59% turnout rate). This clearly drags down MoCo's statewide ranking for voter turnout.<br /><br /><br /><u><b>VOTER TURNOUT AND REGISTRATION DECLINES SPELL TROUBLE FOR THE MARYLAND GOP</b></u> - But more importantly, these numbers raise the question about who these independent voters are. Are they disaffected Republicans (aka would-be moderate Republicans who have no home in today's Republican Party)? It is stunning that indies outnumber the GOP in Montgomery County, but then again the era of moderate Republican officials like Connie Morella is now long-gone, mirroring a national trend of partisan realignment.<br /><br />That the Maryland GOP cannot energize its voters in the vote-rich Democratic strongholds is not a theory, it is fact. Look at the percentage of Maryland Republicans who voted in the June Primaries:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>MARYLAND REPUBLICAN TURNOUT BY COUNTY</b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" frame="VOID" rules="NONE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"> <colgroup><col width="126"></col><col width="86"></col><col width="86"></col></colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" width="126"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">County</span></b></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" width="86"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Party</span></b></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" width="86"><b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Turnout</span></b></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Talbot</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">44.06%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Dorchester</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">37.76%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Queen Anne's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">37.46%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Somerset</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">34.00%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Garrett</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">33.53%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Carroll</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">32.80%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Frederick</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">31.84%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Kent</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">31.09%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Caroline</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">29.43%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Cecil</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">27.93%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Harford</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">26.15%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Anne Arundel</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">25.92%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Allegany</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">25.57%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Wicomico</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">24.50%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Worcester</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">24.46%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Calvert</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">23.51%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Washington</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">23.46%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Saint Mary's</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">21.93%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Baltimore County</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">20.55%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Charles</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">20.43%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Howard</span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">19.22%</span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Montgomery</span></span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">11.74%</span></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Prince George's</span></span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">11.23%</span></span></td> </tr><tr> <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 3px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">Baltimore City</span></span></td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">REP</span></span></td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;">11.00%</span></span></td> </tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">UPDATED</span>: THE MARYLAND GOP IS A REGIONAL PARTY</b></u> - In places like Montgomery, Prince George's and Baltimore City, barely 1 in 10 registered Republicans decided to participate in contested Republican Primary Elections. Furthermore, in all three of those jurisdictions, independents outnumber Republicans:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Montgomery - 147,904 independents vs. 122,349 Republican </li><li>Baltimore City - 46,313 independents vs. 30,325 Republicans</li><li>Prince George's - 60,039 independents vs. 43,636 Republicans</li></ul>Interestingly, in democratic-trending Howard County, independents are beginning to approach the same strength as the GOP. This does not bode well for the strength of the Republican electorate in the long-term:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Howard - 46,623 independents vs. 56,696 Republicans </li></ul>Given what a large share of votes these counties represent, it seems clear that the Maryland GOP continues on the path of becoming a regional party. But these anemic GOP turnout levels are making us all look bad, since they bring down the overall turnout percentages for our counties.<br /><br />The obvious solution for the Maryland GOP is to hold open primaries and allow independents to vote -- especially since indies now outnumber MoCo Republicans. But I'm not holding my breath for that.<br /><br /><br /><u><b>PRIMARY TURNOUT IS DECLINING NATIONALLY</b></u> - In the meantime, I would add just one more piece of data for folks to consider. And that is that the hand-wringing over low voter turnout is nothing unique to Maryland. It is happening nationally.&nbsp; <a href="http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/07/21/voter-turnout-primaries-2014-elections/">USA Today recently posted a graph of declining party primary turnout</a> across the nation (courtesy of the Center for the Study of the American Electorate):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pY0hVhywrGo/U-pzwNhaS-I/AAAAAAAAHWI/ZNK3sKD_yts/s1600/voter%2Bturnout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pY0hVhywrGo/U-pzwNhaS-I/AAAAAAAAHWI/ZNK3sKD_yts/s1600/voter%2Bturnout.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />So take a deep breath, folks. There is much more going on with voter turnout both nationally, regionally, and locally than has really been discussed in many of the news articles I've read recently. I'll be back with a JuiceBlender before too long.&nbsp; <i><b>Thanks for sticking around!</b></i></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/08/turnout-analysis-whats-really-going-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-7880663433891338659Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:46:00 +00002014-04-09T18:38:13.609-04:002014 primaryanthony browndoug duncandoug ganslerheather mizeurike leggettkate stewartmarijuanaminimum wagemontgomery countyphil andrewsschool boardtakoma parktransgender rightsJUICE: Status Check on Governor, MoCo Exec and Council Races // PLUS: Takoma Park Special Election, Hot Bills & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a status check on a few campaigns of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>:&nbsp; THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S GOVERNOR'S RACE // BILL CLINTON ENDORSEMENT, TV AD WARS &amp; MORE </b></u>- A few interesting things have happened since we last reported on the status of Maryland's race for Governor. First, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown reported in a press release yesterday that former President Bill Clinton endorsed his campaign (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BILL CLINTON</b></u>: “Anthony Brown’s lengthy record of public service to our nation and the state of Maryland is a powerful testament to his character and leadership... As Lt. Governor, Anthony has worked to create thousands of jobs, to make quality health care more accessible and affordable, to secure passage of some of the nation’s toughest gun safety laws, to protect women and children from domestic violence, and to make record investments in Maryland’s public schools. He is uniquely qualified to lead Maryland, and I am proud to support him for Governor.”</blockquote>Meanwhile, Delegate Heather Mizeur continues her effort to wage an issue campaign on progressive causes with recent policy proposals to legalize marijuana, start school later, index the minimum wage, fully fund retiree pensions, reform redistricting, tackle women's pay equity and more. An interesting thing to note about Mizeur's platform is that it seems obvious that having a statewide candidate out front on these types of issues can help lead to a more robust discussion of them in Annapolis and create the political space for positive (albeit compromise) efforts to move forward. That being said, as the race heads into the home stretch, Mizeur has also taken to criticizing the positions of her rivals, including highlighting Doug Gansler's support for an estate tax cut and questioning Anthony Brown's leadership of Maryland's health exchange.<br /><br />Lastly, Attorney General Doug Gansler and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown are up on the air in different regional markets with television advertising. Check out a couple recent examples below:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/neFc-qCmJno" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4kC9rZhuTBo" width="640"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: THE LATEST ON MOCO EXEC // IKE LEGGETT HIGHLIGHTS FLIP FLOP, DOUG DUNCAN CALLS OUT TRANSIT CENTER &amp; PHIL ANDREWS QUESTIONS MOCO BUDGET&nbsp; </b></u>&nbsp; - In Montgomery County's three-way race for County Executive, several themes are emerging. So far, much of the press coverage has been centered around rival candidates putting incumbent Executive Ike Leggett's eight-year record on trial. Former County Executive Doug Duncan, for example, recently released the following snarky video criticizing Leggett's handling of the Silver Spring Transit Center:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T9E9FnOcjn8" width="640"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b>IKE LEGGETT HITS BACK</b></u>: But Leggett has fired back with multiple data points casting the blame for budget difficulties on Doug Duncan's previous tenure as County Executive. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/election-season-makes-you-know-who-a-big-player-in-leggetts-2015-montgomery-budget/2014/03/19/c9a00820-aee3-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Bill Turque highlighted an example of the tit-for-tat</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: ... In his budget letter to the County Council on Monday, Leggett never identifies his predecessor and opponent in the June Democratic primary. But he depicts Duncan as a profligate and reckless spender during Duncan’s three terms from 1994 to 2006. It’s certainly no mystery who Leggett is talking about....<br /><br />“First, the County had to stop spending beyond its means,” he said. “Under the prior administration, tax supported County government spending increased by 36 percent in the three years immediately before I assumed office.” From there, Leggett piles on the data points. County payroll: up 28 percent. Tax-supported county spending: up 128 percent. Total budget growth: up 112 percent. “We have brought down the rate of growth in County government from the unsustainable levels prior to my taking office,” he said....</blockquote>Leggett also highlighted a potential flip-flop by Doug Duncan on the county's recently approved $11.50/hour minimum wage increase. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/duncan-agency-leading-transit-center-project-broken-leggett-says-he-is-responsible/2013/11/19/373b225e-510e-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_print.html">Duncan previously stated the state rather than the county should set minimum wage rates</a>. <i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/March-April-2014/County-Candidate-Debate/">Lou Peck captured Leggett's criticism in an article</a> last month (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: ... “We’re rewriting history here this morning,” Leggett snapped after Duncan had answered a question on a minimum wage increase, as Leggett suggested that Duncan had changed his position from an earlier appearance.</blockquote><u><b>PHIL ANDREWS CRITICIZES LEGGETT BUDGET</b></u>: Lastly, the third County Executive candidate, Phil Andrews, has taken to criticizing Leggett's proposed 2015 budget by describing it as a "fiscal straightjacket." Andrews issued a litany of complaints in a press release (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PHIL ANDREWS</b></u>: The budget proposed by County Executive Leggett would put County taxpayers in a fiscal straightjacket because it exceeds the amount required by the State’s Maintenance of Effort (MOE) law. This law requires funding MCPS at $28 million more than last year. Going above that amount by an additional $26 million, as proposed by Mr. Leggett, would lock County taxpayers into that amount year after year.... This is the second straight year that Mr. Leggett’s budget includes excessive pay raises for County employees of 6.75 to 9.75 percent, at a cost of approximately $33 million in FY15 and an annualized cost of $88.7 million.<br /><br />In 2010, Mr. Leggett proposed a 100 percent increase in the County’s energy tax, and proposed it sunset after two years. In 2012 and 2013, I led efforts on the County Council that reduced the 2010 increase in the energy tax by 10 percent each year. The Council should continue to reduce the energy tax rate until it reaches its 2010 level. The cost of continuing to reduce it by an additional 10 percent in FY15 is $11.8 million....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: </b></u><u><b><u><b>TURNOUT BELLWETHERS FROM APRIL'S </b></u>TAKOMA PARK &amp; DC ELECTIONS&nbsp; // CONGRATS TO NEW TAKOMA COUNCILMEMBER KATE STEWART</b></u> - Yesterday voters in Takoma Park's Ward 3 participated in a special election for a vacant City Council seat. <a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140221/NEWS/140229739/takoma-park-x2019-s-kay-daniels-cohen-dies-at-71&amp;template=gazette">City Councilmember Kay Daniels-Cohen passed away in February</a>, triggering a race to fill her seat for the remainder of her term. <br /><br /><u><b>KATE STEWART WINS TAKOMA PARK SPECIAL ELECTION WITH 8 VOTE MARGIN</b></u>: Congratulations to newly elected City Councilmember <a href="http://www.katestewartfortakoma.com/">Kate Stewart</a>, who won her race by a hair-splitting <u>eight votes</u>. Kate is an executive at the nonprofit organization Advocates for Youth, where she promotes youth education for reproductive and sexual health.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNKUPgW48XE/U0V6KwZWfAI/AAAAAAAAHUA/bqBN5yrE9k0/s1600/kate-stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNKUPgW48XE/U0V6KwZWfAI/AAAAAAAAHUA/bqBN5yrE9k0/s1600/kate-stewart.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Kate Stewart (left) at election night party with supporter Howard Kohn</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><u><b>EXPLANATION OF THE FASCINATING TAKOMA PARK SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS</b></u> - There are many interesting aspects to the Takoma Park special elections to dig into, but first Maryland Juice explains the city's unique election methods. Notably, the city's elections are nonpartisan and both 16-year-olds and noncitizens can vote in the municipal races. Most importantly, the city uses a ranked voting election system known as "instant runoff voting" (aka IRV) for its races. Here's how it works: voters rank candidates in order of preference (eg: 1st choice, 2nd choice, etc). If a candidate wins a majority of first choices, the race is over. But if no candidate gets a majority, the last place candidate is eliminated and their votes are instead counted for the 2nd choices of the eliminated candidate. This is precisely what happened in last night's Takoma Park election count. The IRV system is designed to eliminate the so-called "spoiler" problem where election results can be tipped away from the ideology of the majority through vote-splitting dynamics.<br /><br />In the Ward 3 Special Election, there were three candidates: Kate Stewart, Roger Schlegel and Jeffrey Noel-Nosbaum. Stewart earned the support of Delegate Heather Mizeur and City Councilmembers Tim Male and Seth Grimes. But Schlegel was a former Mayoral candidate in 2009, when he earned roughly 40% of the vote. In any case, here's how the <a href="http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/cityclerk/2014-04-09/unofficial-election-results">Takoma Park election counts</a> went:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>FIRST ROUND OF TABULATION</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Kate Stewart - 323 votes</li><li>Roger Schlegel - 315 votes</li><li>Jeffrey Noel-Nosbaum - 20 votes</li></ol><u><b>SECOND ROUND OF TABULATION</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Kate Stewart - 332 votes</li><li>Roger Schlegel - 324 votes</li><li>Jeffrey Noel-Nosbaum - <b>ELIMINATED </b></li></ol></blockquote>In the first round of counting, no candidate won a majority of the vote, so the last place candidate's supporters determined the outcome of the race. After Jeffrey Noel-Nosbaum was eliminated, his 20 votes were recounted for his supporters second choice candidates: 9 for Kate Stewart and 9 for Roger Schlegel. After this process was completed, Kate Stewart maintained her 8 vote lead and will be the next Ward 3 Councilmember for Takoma Park.<br /><br /><u><b>TURNOUT BELLWETHERS FROM TAKOMA PARK AND DC'S MAYORAL ELECTION?</b></u> - One interesting thing to note in the Takoma Park results is the turnout figures. Indeed, a few candidates and operatives I've talked to this cycle have been trying to predict what turnout might look like in Maryland's upcoming June Democratic Primary. This is a bit of an x-factor, given that this is the first year Maryland is not holding its primaries in September. Here are a couple data points to consider. In 2011, Ward 3 had 2,241 voters, and turnout for this week's special election was 660 voters (or roughly 30%).<br /><br />Meanwhile, nearby Washington, DC held Democratic Primary elections last Tuesday, April 1st. Like in Maryland, the early primary was a new feature for DC voters. In a post-election analysis, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/muriel-bowser-declares-victory-in-dc-mayoral-primary/2014/04/02/7176390e-b5b8-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> reported historic low-turnout</a> for the April elections and attributed part of this to the new date (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: A historically small swath of the city decided the race, with Tuesday’s turnout appearing to rival elections in 1986 and 1998 for the lowest in a mayoral primary in 40 years of District home rule. In part, the lower turnout reflected a new, earlier schedule for the city primaries, dictated by a federal law mandating more time between primary and general elections to expand absentee balloting.</blockquote>Indeed, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/voter-turnout-for-dc-primary-lowest-in-three-decades/2014/04/02/6b96972e-ba2f-11e3-96ae-f2c36d2b1245_story.html">turnout in DC was about 25%</a>, even with a crowded field of candidates, multiple contested races, high profile political scandals, and heavy spending. Though in maps of voter turnout that I've seen, it is clear that the turnout drop was concentrated in a few Wards in DC. It remains to be seen whether any of these indicators are bellwethers for June turnout in Montgomery County and Maryland.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: STATUS CHECK ON MOCO COUNCIL RACES // ENDORSEMENTS BEGIN TO TRICKLE IN</b></u>&nbsp; - There are numerous competitive races for the Montgomery County Council this cycle. Here is a very quick round-up of developments in each of the contests. Note that a number of high-profile endorsements have not yet been announced in some of the county races.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DISTRICT 1</b></u>: In District 1, incumbent Roger Berliner is facing off against former at-large Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg. Berliner has received the backing of the Sierra Club, <a href="http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8d833bfca963935b7eb2bafd2&amp;id=29d37284d6&amp;e=76a59d1b7d">U.S. Senator Ben Cardin</a>, <a href="http://www.rogerberliner.com/page/endorsements">State Senators</a> Brian Frosh, Rich Madaleno and Brian Feldman, and other community leaders. Meanwhile, Trachtenberg has been endorsed by a range of <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/montgomery-developers-seek-to-oust-berliner-back-trachtenberg-for-county-council/2014/03/13/48e55738-aaa8-11e3-adbc-888c8010c799_story.html">developers and business leaders</a>, one of whom described the <a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/?tag=duchy-trachtenberg">Sierra Club as a "vicious" organization</a>. One report also indicates <a href="http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/03/28/trachtenberg-tries-to-mend-labor-relations-in-council-comeback-attempt/">Trachtenberg is wooing labor unions</a> with promises to restore "effects bargaining" for MoCo police officers.<br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 3</b></u>: In the District 3 open seat race, candidates include Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz, Gaithersburg Councilmember Ryan Spiegel, Rockville Councilmember Tom Moore, and activist Guled Kassim. In the D3 race, <a href="http://www.ryanspiegel.com/">Ryan Spiegel</a> has earned the support of the teachers (aka MCEA) and public school retirees, while <a href="http://www.moore4council.org/">Tom Moore</a> has the backing of the Sierra Club and the volunteer firefighters. <br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 5</b></u>: In the District 5 open seat race, candidates include Delegate Tom Hucker, school board member Chris Barclay, and activists Evan Glass, Terrill North and Jeffrey Thames. Tom Hucker has earned endorsements from NARAL, Sierra Club, public school retirees and labor unions representing firefighters, police, county employees, electricians and more. Meanwhile, Chris Barclay has been endorsed by the teachers, alongside current and former Councilmembers: Valerie Ervin, Craig Rice, Cherri Branson and Nancy Navarro. Evan Glass has the support of Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams and City Councilmember Seth Grimes.Terrill North has endorsements from Takoma Park Councilmembers Jarrett Smith and Fred Schultz, along with former Takoma Park Councilmembers Kay Daniels Cohen, Hank Prensky and Donna Victoria.<br /><br /><u><b>AT-LARGE</b></u>: Lastly, Montgomery County elects four at-large County Councilmembers, and all four incumbents are seeking re-election: Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer. Two challengers have entered the race: Beth Daly &amp; Vivian Malloy. In previous election cycles, one at-large Councilmember typically loses, but it seems too early to size up the state of this race. So far newcomer Beth Daly has earned endorsements from the Sierra Club, public school retirees, Delegate Charles Barkley and Gaithersburg Councilmember Mike Sesma. Marc Elrich also has the support of the Sierra Club, while George Leventhal's supporters include Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams and City Councilmember Seth Grimes. </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: MOCO SCHOOL BOARD RACES GETTING INTERESTING AS CANDIDATES ANNOUNCE ENDORSEMENTS</b></u> - There is an unusual amount of activity in Montgomery County's non-partisan Board of Education races this year. All seats are contested, and the top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the General Election ballot to determine a winner in November. Note that in some of the races, there are only two candidates, meaning both will automatically advance to the General Election ballot. Here's a quick run-down of the races:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>AT LARGE (OPEN SEAT)</b></u>: The open seat race for at-large school board has drawn four contenders: <a href="http://www.friendsofedwardamatetti.com/">Edward Amatetti</a>, Shebra Evans, Merry Eisner-Heidorn and Jill Ortman-Fouse. <a href="http://shebraevans.com/">Shebra Evans</a> is the choice of the teachers union, <a href="http://merry4boe.wordpress.com/">Merry Eisner-Heidorn</a> has the support of the public school retirees, and <a href="http://www.jill4allkids.com/">Jill Ortman-Fouse</a> has the support of Attorney General Doug Gansler, Sen. Jamie Raskin, and County Councilmember George Leventhal.<br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 1</b></u>: Incumbent school board member Judy Docca is facing off against <a href="http://www.kristintrible.com/">Kristin Trible</a>. Docca has the support of the teachers.<br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 3</b></u>: Incumbent school board member <a href="http://www.patoneill.org/">Pat O'Neill</a> is facing off against <a href="http://www.lauriehalverson.com/">Laurie Halverson</a>. O'Neill has the support of the teachers, public school retirees, and Coalition of Asian-Pacific American Democrats of Maryland.<br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 5</b></u>: Incumbent school board member Mike Durso is facing off against Larry Edmonds. Durso has the support of the teachers.&nbsp; </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: BILLS THAT PASSED &amp; FAILED THIS SESSION // ROLL CALL LINKS FOR MINIMUM WAGE, TRANSGENDER RIGHTS, MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION &amp; MORE</b></u> - Maryland's legislative session adjourned last Monday. Below we provide an update on the status of a few interesting and high-profile bills debated in Annapolis this session:<br /><br /><u><b>BILLS THAT PASSED </b></u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>$10.10 Minimum Wage</u>:&nbsp; Roll Calls&nbsp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=HB0295,s-1087&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 34-13 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=HB0295,h-1248&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 87-47 ]</li><li><u>Marijuana Decriminalization</u>:&nbsp; Roll Calls&nbsp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0364,s-0564&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 36-8 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0364,h-1229&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 78-55 ]</li><li><u>Transgender Nondiscrimination</u>:&nbsp; Roll Calls&nbsp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0212,s-0402&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 32-15 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0212,h-0806&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 82-57 ]</li><li><u>Tax Cut for Wealthy Estates</u>: Roll Calls [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=HB0739,s-0665&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 36-10 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=HB0739,h-0325&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 119-14 ]</li><li><u>Ban on Shackling Pregnant Inmates</u>: Roll Calls&nbsp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=HB0027,s-0981&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 47-0 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=HB0027,h-0281&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 135-0 ]</li><li><u>License Plate Scanner Rules</u>: Roll Calls [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0699,s-0717&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 46-0 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0699,h-1279&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 136-0 ]</li><li><u>Requiring Court Order for Electronic Surveillance</u>: Roll Calls [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0698,s-0678&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 46-0 ] &amp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0698,h-1179&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">House</a> 134-0 ]</li></ul><u><b>BILLS THAT FAILED </b></u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>Shielding of Nonviolent Convictions</u>:&nbsp; Roll Call [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB1056,s-0929&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">Senate</a> 44-3 ] &amp; [ No House Floor Vote ]</li><li><u>Ban on Academic Boycotts</u>:&nbsp; [ <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;stab=01&amp;id=hb0998&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">No Floor Votes</a> ]</li></ul><br />A final interesting bill worth mentioning is the proposed subsidy for the Netflix TV series "House of Cards." Though lawmakers approved $15 million in tax credits, the House and Senate were unable to agree on the full $18.5 million requested by the producers. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/house-of-cards-legislation-fails-at-the-last-minute-in-maryland/2014/04/08/f4afea98-be84-11e3-b574-f8748871856a_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> provided a blow-by-blow</a> on how the bill failed during the closing minutes of the Annapolis legislative session.<br /><br /></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/04/juice-status-check-on-governor-moco.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-6411222035542459988Sat, 05 Apr 2014 04:41:00 +00002014-04-05T00:47:38.954-04:00corporate welfarehouse of cardshouse of delegatesmarijuanamaryland senateminimum wagerecidivismshacklingtransgender rightsJUICE: Final Marijuana Decriminalization & Minimum Wage Votes Imminent // PLUS: Updates on "House of Cards" & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sorry for the long hiatus in posts recently, but my latest "project" is keeping me quite busy these days. And if it is successful, this blog will go through a bit of a transition. But that's a story for another day.<br /><br />In the meantime, we thought it best to give a quick status check on high profile bills in Annapolis, given that the legislative session ends this coming Monday. It's now or never to get your final emails and calls in to lawmakers, but we already know the outcome of several high-profile battles. Below Maryland Juice provides a quick status check on various hot-button legislative initiatives of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION FACING "DO OR DIE" VOTE THIS SATURDAY MORNING&nbsp; //&nbsp; <span style="color: red;">LAST CALL FOR EMAILS TO MD HOUSE MEMBERS</span></b></u> - For the second year in a row, members of Maryland's State Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation to remove jail time as a penalty for marijuana possession. Over a dozen other states have adopted this reform, and polling numbers indicate fewer than 10% of Marylanders believe incarceration is appropriate in these cases. But the bill has faced an oddly tortured debate in the House of Delegates, where Judiciary Chair Joe Vallario seeks to kill the legislation by turning it into a "study commission" bill. Reform advocates are now alerting supporters that there may be a "do or die" vote on the decriminalization bill <u>today</u> (Saturday). Sorry for the late notice. In any case, <a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/04/04/house-democrats-appar-likely-to-approve-decriminalizing-marijuana/"><i>Maryland Reporter's</i> Len Lazarick posted an article tonight</a> providing some details on the last ditch effort to pass marijuana decriminalization this year (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MARYLAND REPORTER</b></u>: A wave of support among House Democrats for decriminalizing marijuana is apparently forcing the House Judiciary Committee to reverse itself and approve a Senate bill, SB364, removing criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.<br /><br />The committee earlier this week had turned the legislation into a two-year study of the issue, but Del. Keiffer Mitchell sought to revive the bill on the floor Friday. Floor debate and a potential vote are set for Saturday.</blockquote><blockquote>After counting votes for decriminalization, House leaders apparently decided there was too much support for the move the Senate has passed two years in a row to go along with Judiciary Chairman Joe Vallario’s staunch opposition.... Mitchell said the racial disparities in marijuana arrests could not wait another two years....</blockquote><br /><u><b>CONTACT MD HOUSE MEMBERS ASAP</b></u>: A diverse group of advocates who have joined forces under the umbrella of <a href="http://www.marijuanapolicyinmd.org/">The Marijuana Policy Coalition of Maryland</a> are calling on residents to contact members of the House of Delegates <u>ASAP</u>. You can send an email to your House members through the link below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>[&nbsp; <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=2503">EMAIL MD HOUSE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION</a>&nbsp; ]</b></div><br />The coalition includes groups ranging from the NAACP and ACLU to CASA de Maryland and Equality Maryland. Check out their urgent action alert and contact your House members as soon as possible. The vote on decriminalization is this Saturday, April 5th (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MARIJUANA POLICY COALITION OF MD</b></u>: Earlier this week, the House Judiciary Committee gutted a decriminalization bill — SB 364 — and turned it into a study that wouldn’t even report its findings until December 2015. Since then, several delegates have made it clear they’re not going to let decriminalizing marijuana die a quiet death.<br /><br />Members of the Legislative Black Caucus plan to propose an amendment on the House floor to restore the bill to the version that passed the Senate! <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=D8DECEFF5F463BCD0784FCD2FE3B193F.app253b?alertId=2499&amp;pg=makeACall">Please take to the phones to ask your legislators to vote “yes” on the amendment</a>.<br /><br />If you don’t have time to make a phone call, you can instead <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=2503">send a pre-written email</a>. It only takes a minute to let your voice be heard.<br /><br />The vote will happen tomorrow (Saturday), so please don’t delay! Every year, about 20,000 Marylanders are arrested for possession of marijuana. Let your delegates know that it’s time for action, not yet another study. It’s past time for Maryland to stop branding its residents as criminals for using a substance that is safer than alcohol....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: MINIMUM WAGE HIKE FACING FINAL VOTE IN MD SENATE // HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED &amp; WHAT COMES NEXT</b></u> - Throughout the current legislative session, economic justice organizations have been calling on Maryland lawmakers to advance a minimum wage increase. Advocates specifically asked for the following reforms to the state's current $7.25 an hour wage rate:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour</li><li>Raise the tipped minimum wage to 70% of the full minimum wage</li><li>Index the minimum wage to adjust with inflation</li></ol><u><b>THE HOUSE'S VERSION OF THE MINIMUM WAGE HIKE</b></u>: The House of Delegates took up the minimum wage proposals ahead of the Senate, and <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-house-of-delegates-votes-to-raise-minimum-wage-to-1010-an-hour-by-2017/2014/03/07/5209fdd4-a605-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> reported on the version of the legislation they passed last month</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: The Maryland House of Delegates on Friday approved a plan to increase the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 by 2017.... The bill approved by the House is somewhat less ambitious than what O’Malley (D) proposed....<br /><br />This week, a House committee struck a provision from the governor’s bill that called for automatic increases in the minimum wage beyond 2017 based on inflation.... Under the bill, individual Maryland counties would be allowed to set higher minimum wages than the state. Late last year, the Montgomery and Prince George’s county councils voted to raise the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by 2017 in their jurisdictions.... The bill that passed the Maryland House would raise the minimum wage to $8.20 an hour on Jan. 1; to $9.15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2016; and to $10.10 an hour on Jan. 1, 2017.... The committee delayed the implementation date by six months to give businesses more time to adjust.<br /><br />Lawmakers also carved out an exemption for Six Flags and other seasonal amusement park operators and, in response to pressure from the restaurant industry, changed the way that O’Malley proposed compensating tipped workers.... Tipped employees would have to be paid an hourly rate of $3.63 in addition to tips....</blockquote><u><b>THE SENATE'S VERSION OF THE MINIMUM WAGE HIKE</b></u>: In short, the House passed a $10.10 minimum wage to be phased in by 2017, but they removed advocates' "indexing" and tipped worker provisions, and they carved out an exemption for Six Flags. Tonight, the Maryland Senate settled on details of their version of the minimum wage bill and a final vote on the bill may happen <u>tomorrow</u> (SATURDAY). <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bs-md-mininum-wage-advance-20140404,0,2545483.story"><i>The Baltimore Sun</i> reported on specifics within the Senate bill</a> moving forward (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: Gov. Martin O'Malley's chief legislative priority to raise the minimum wage cleared another hurdle Friday as the Senate granted initial approval after a marathon debate. Lawmakers made 18 different attempts to redraft the proposal that incrementally raises pay for the state's lowest-earning workers from $7.25 to $10.10 by 2018.... the Senate could pass the measure as soon as Saturday....<br /><br />The Senate created a "training wage" that allows employers to pay workers under 19 years old a lower rate for the first six months on the job. It also tied in the minimum wage increase to a hike in state pay for caregivers of the developmentally disabled, a plan that carries a $30 million price tag....</blockquote>So the Senate's version of the minimum wage increase delays full implementation an extra year, compared to the House bill. Meanwhile, the exclusion of young workers is another twist in the narrative. <a href="http://www.jufj.org/content/raise-maryland">Activists from the Raise Maryland coalition described the status of the minimum wage debate tonight</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>RAISE MARYLAND</b></u>: The Senate has completed the second reader of their version of the minimum wage bill, with one more scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, April 5th). Unfortunately, their bill moved the phase-in period back so the minimum wage will not reach $10.10 until 2018, and it did not unfreeze the tipped minimum wage. However, this is still a big victory, given that advocates have been trying to raise Maryland's minimum wage since 2006. We look forward to both the Senate and House passing this bill right away! </blockquote>Many of us are disappointed that the effort has been watered down, especially because removal of indexing means we will now be forced to fight for cost of living adjustments perpetually. But the context of the fight was happening in a seemingly <a href="http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/maryland-senate-advances-minimum-wage-increase/25330382">polarized environment, as reported by WBAL</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WBAL</b></u>: A marathon debate ensued in the Senate on Friday over the governor's minimum wage bill as time winds down before the close of the legislative session. They advanced the bill, paving the way for a rare Saturday voting session, giving both chambers just one day to find common ground.<br /><br />An 11th-hour appeal arose as supporters of increasing the minimum wage formed a reception line to greet legislators entering the State House, urging them to get the bill on the governor's desk before the session ends midnight on Monday.<br /><br />Liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans repeatedly tried to amend the legislation and for decidedly different reasons.... Liberal Democrats tried shorten the phase-in and tie future increases to the consumer price index, making a parallel to indexing the eventual elimination of the estate tax... The Senate is expected to take a final vote on the measure Saturday, but some wonder even then whether that's enough time to sort out differences before the session ends Monday....</blockquote>Indeed, elimination of the tipped worker and indexing provisions is especially disappointing, but it seems these issues may have to return as advocacy efforts in future sessions. <br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE "HOUSE OF CARDS" HANDOUT, ESTATE TAX CUT, SECOND CHANCE ACT, TRANSGENDER BILL &amp; MORE</b></u> - A few bills of note were approved in recent weeks, and below we flag a few of the higher profile efforts:<br /><br /><u><b>TAXPAYER SUBSIDIES FOR THE "HOUSE OF CARDS" TV SERIES</b></u>: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/house-of-cards-threatens-to-leave-if-maryland-comes-up-short-on-tax-credits/2014/02/20/bf9a8206-9a70-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html?hpid=z5"><i>The Washington Post </i>reported last February that producers of the Netflix TV series "House of Cards"</a> were demanding millions of dollars in taxpayer handouts, while threatening to move production out of state if their demands were not met. Actor Kevin Spacey himself even personally lobbied lawmakers for the welfare payment, and Delegate Bill Frick introduced an interesting amendment in response to the extortion. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-delegates-threaten-to-seize-house-of-cards-property-if-filming-leaves-the-state/2014/03/27/0715a0ca-b605-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> reported on the duel last week</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Members of the Maryland House of Delegates are still stewing over a threat from the “House of Cards” producers to leave the state if they don’t get millions more dollars in tax credits. So delegates have issued a threat of their own: Sure, go ahead, leave this beautiful place that’s brimming with dedicated workers. But if you do that, state officials might use eminent domain to purchase, condemn or somehow seize your sets, equipment and other property.<br /><br />The threat was proposed Thursday afternoon by Del. C. William Frick (D-Montgomery) and quickly approved with barely any debate or even a roll-call vote. “I literally thought: What is an appropriate Frank Underwood response to a threat like this?” said Frick, referring to the Netflix drama’s lead character, a charming but conniving politician who murders, blackmails and threatens his way to greater power. “Eminent domain really struck me as the most dramatic response....&nbsp; It’s a terrific show. I love it. You probably love it,” Frick said on the House floor. But, he added, the threatening letter that Media Rights Capital sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) in January “went a little far....”</blockquote>But alas, you can usually bet on the house to win, especially if the house in question involves industry lobbyists making lawmakers play "race-to-the-bottom" game theory. <a href="http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/general_assembly/general-assembly-conference-committee-kills-house-of-cards-eminent-domain/article_04064c33-7693-5b32-9b4f-237d929d6ec7.html"><i>The Capital Gazette</i> reported yesterday that legislators removed Frick's "eminent domain" provision</a> from the House of Cards bill, and so Maryland taxpayers will be paying the producers over $18 million to subsidize taping of Season 3 (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CAPITAL GAZETTE</b></u>: A General Assembly conference committee has done away with a budget provision that would have allowed Maryland to seize the property of the production company for the Netflix television series "House of Cards...."<br /><br />"House of Cards" is on track to have taken more than $30 million in tax credits through fiscal 2016.... The Senate has passed Senate Bill 1051, which would ramp up funding for the film credit from $7.5 million to $18.5 million....</blockquote><br /><u><b>MARYLAND SECOND CHANCE ACT</b></u>: A bill to allow nonviolent offenders to shield their records from public view after a few years has <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;stab=03&amp;id=hb1166&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">passed the House 87-49 and the Senate 43-4</a>. But advocates at the Job Opportunities Task Force were hoping to revive some of the provisions that were amended out during the legislative process (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>JOB OPPORTUNITIES TASK FORCE:</b></u> While we are thrilled that the senate committee listened to all of your calls and emails urging them to resist adopting the harmful amendments from the house bill to the senate bill and pass a clean senate bill, a conviction for theft under $1000 was removed from the list of crimes eligible for shielding.&nbsp; This means that over 50,000 Marylanders convicted of theft will be unable to shield their record....</blockquote><br /><u><b>SHACKLING OF PREGNANT INMATES </b></u>: Advocates have been attempting to ban the shackling of pregnant inmates in Maryland in recent sessions. But according to a press release from the ACLU, the bill has finally passed this year (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>ACLU</b></u>: Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland celebrated passage of House Bill 27, the Healthy Births for Incarcerated Women Act, which would impose restrictions on the shackling of pregnant incarcerated women during labor, delivery, and post-partum recovery. Delegates Mary L. Washington (D-Baltimore City), Ariana B. Kelly (D-Montgomery), and Barbara Robinson (D-Baltimore City), supported by a strong coalition of organizations, introduced HB 27 to ensure that Maryland’s women have protections against this barbaric and dangerous practice. The bill, which passed unanimously, now goes to Governor Martin O’Malley, who will hopefully sign it.... </blockquote><br /><u><b>TRANSGENDER NONDISCRIMINATION</b></u>: <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/03/issue-juice-roll-calls-on-transgender.html">We previously reported</a> that an effort to protect transgender residents from discrimination finally passed the Maryland Senate this year. Last week Senate sponsor Rich Madaleno reported that the House of Delegates joined the upper chamber in approving the legislation (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>RICH MADALENO</b></u>: I am thrilled to report that just moments ago, the Maryland House of Delegates passed the Fairness for All Marylanders Act (Senate Bill 212) by a vote of 82-57.&nbsp; Since the House passed the Senate bill without amendments, it now heads to Governor O’Malley for final approval.&nbsp; When he signs this legislation, which I proudly sponsored, Maryland will be the 18th state in the nation – plus Washington, D.C. - to ensure equal civil rights protections for transgender persons....</blockquote><br /><u><b>TAX CUT FOR WEALTHY ESTATES</b></u>: Liberal advocacy group Progressive Maryland has been fighting a cut to the state's estate tax for the wealthiest residents this year. But <a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5206/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=161664">the organization reports</a> that the State House and Senate approved the tax cut this session (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND</b></u>: Governor Martin O'Malley must soon decide whether to sign or <a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5206/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9568">veto HB 739</a>, one of the General Assembly's most misguided bills to gift Maryland's wealthiest 3% a wholly unwarranted major tax cut at the expense of the rest of us. As Dan Rodrick's recent column in the <i>Baltimore Sun</i>, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-rodricks-0327-20140327,0,5727999.column">With Democrats like these, who needs GOP?</a>, explains:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"If Gov. Martin O'Malley signs it into law, the measure would raise the amount of an estate exempt from Maryland's tax from 1 million to nearly 6 million. The new exemption would cost the state more than 100 million in annual revenue by 2019, when it would fully take effect. Over the five-year phase-in, the loss to the state would be an estimated 431 million..."</blockquote>This bill’s passage through the House and Senate is grossly ironic, given the struggles of so many families and recent disclosure that Maryland's in a budget hole that could place state employee pension funds on the chopping block. Politicians' arguments that Maryland isn’t competitive enough and that wealthy might move away if they don't cut this tax run counter to the facts....</blockquote><br /><u><b>MOCO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS</b></u>: Though lawmakers found funding to cut $431 million in taxes for wealthy estates and $18 million for Kevin Spacey's TV show, it appears that Montgomery County is not going to get increased funding for its overcrowded schools. <a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140404/NEWS/140409435/1124/general-assembly-heads-into-final-days&amp;template=gazette"><i>The Gazette </i>reported on the news Friday</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GAZETTE</b></u>: Maryland has three days left in its legislative session and ... Montgomery County’s top priority for the session appears to be headed nowhere. The session ends at midnight Monday. Montgomery County has been pushing since the outset of the 90-day session in January to establish a dedicated program that would provide the county with school construction funding. As of Thursday, both proposals to do just that are mired in committees with no hope of advancing. Montgomery asked for up to $20 million in extra school construction matching funds from the state by way of either a capital grant or an application program....</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/04/juice-final-marijuana-decriminalization.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-6136789107315127840Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:52:00 +00002014-04-02T00:13:09.368-04:00annapolisblack liquorcriminal justice reformestate taxmarijuanaminimum wagemontgomery county executivepurple lineschool fundingtransgender rightsISSUE JUICE: Roll Calls on Transgender, Minimum Wage, Estate Tax & Pot Bills // PLUS: Purple Line, School $, Privacy & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round of updates regarding hot button legislation in the Free State:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: ROLL CALL // TRANSGENDER NONDISCRIMINATION BILL PASSES STATE SENATE</b></u> - After years of stalled efforts, the Maryland Senate passed the "Fairness for All Marylanders Act" (<a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=SB0212,s-0402&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014rs">32-15</a>) to provide transgender residents protection from discrimination. 4 Democrats joined 11 Republicans in voting against the nondiscrimination bill, while only 1 Republican voted in favor of transgender nondiscrimination. See the names of lawmakers who broke party lines below:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Democrats who voted <u>against</u> transgender nondiscrimination:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>John Astle (D30)</li><li>Ed DeGrange (D32)</li><li>Roy Dyson (D29)</li><li>Jim Mathias (D38)</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">Republicans who voted <u>for</u> transgender nondiscrimination:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Allan Kittleman (D9)</li></ul></blockquote>The measure now awaits consideration in the House of Delegates, where we expect it to pass, given its broad support (eg: <a href="http://equalitymaryland.org/fairness-for-all-marylanders-act-2014-gets-record-number-of-co-sponsors-in-the-house-february-06-2014-following-tuesdays-flood-of-supportive-testimony-in-the-senate-judicial-proceedings-comm/">61 members co-sponsoring the bill</a>).<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: ROLL CALL // $10.10 MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE PASSES HOUSE OF DELEGATES WITHOUT INDEXING</b></u> - Last week the Maryland House of Delegates approved an increase in the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. The vote was <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-voted-on-the-minimum-wage-bill-today/2014/03/07/7e42ee90-a63e-11e3-9cff-b1406de784f0_story.html">89-46 (via <i>Washington Post</i>)</a>, but according to a press release from Raise Maryland, the bill was watered down a bit along the way (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>RAISE MARYLAND</b></u>: Key provisions of the Maryland Minimum Wage Act of 2014 were stripped out during consideration of the bill in the House Economic Matters Committee.&nbsp; A proposal to index the minimum wage so that it would rise during to keep pace with the cost of living was amended out of the bill. A measure to raise wages for tipped workers from 50 to 70 percent of the minimum wage has been changed to freeze tipped wages at $3.63, the current rate. This amendment means that as the minimum wage rises, tipped worker’s pay would remain at the current level, giving them a pay cut. Advocates are working to keep address these issues in the Senate version of the bill, as well as an amendment that broadly exempts amusement parks....</blockquote>Every Republican Delegate voted against the minimum wage increase, along with 7 Democratic members of the House. See the names of lawmakers who broke party lines below, along with a few members for whom there is no vote recorded either way:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Democrats who voted <u>against</u> a $10.10/hour minimum wage:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pamela Beidle (D32)</li><li>Eric Bromwell (D8)</li><li>Norm Conway (D38B)</li><li>Kevin Kelly (D1B)</li><li>Joseph Minnick (D6)</li><li>David Rudolph (D34B)</li><li>John Wood (D29A)</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">Democrats with no recorded final vote on a $10.10/hour minimum wage</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Luiz Simmons (D17) - <span style="color: red;"><u><b>NOTE</b></u></span>: <i><b>Simmons had an excused absence due to the death of his father</b></i></li><li>Theodore Sophocleus (D32)</li></ul></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><u><b>MIZEUR AMENDMENT</b></u>: Delegate Heather Mizeur, a gubernatorial candidate, offered a last-minute amendment to try and revive indexing in the minimum wage bill through a 2% annual increase after the wage reached $10.10. <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=flrvotepage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=hb0295,h-0235&amp;stab=02&amp;ys=2014RS">Mizeur's amendment was defeated in a 8-124 vote</a>, but here are the names of the seven other Delegates who supported her effort. Note that Doug Gansler's running-mate, Jolene Ivey, voted for Mizeur's amendment:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Liz Bobo (D12)</li><li>Jolene Ivey (D47)</li><li>Doyle Niemann (D47)</li><li>Shane Robinson (D39)</li><li>Mary Washington (D43)</li><li>Ana Sol Gutierrez (D18)</li><li>Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D21)</li></ul></blockquote>The minimum wage increase now awaits consideration in the Maryland Senate.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: ROLL CALL // MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION PASSES MARYLAND SENATE COMMITTEE</b></u> - Last week the Maryland Senate's Judicial Proceedings committee approved legislation to remove jail time as a penalty for marijuana possession. State Senator Bobby Zirkin (a bill sponsor) issued the following press release explaining the legislation (excerpt below):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BOBBY ZIRKIN</b></u>: The bill will create a civil fine not to exceed $100 for adults possessing a small quantity of marijuana. In addition, minors who are found in possession are subject to the $100 fine but also must appear in court in front of a judge or a juvenile master. Juvenile offenders could be ordered to participate in community service or participate in drug education programs.</blockquote>The bi-partisan vote in the Judicial Proceedings committee was 8-3. Here are the Senators who voted for and against the bill:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Senators who voted <u>for</u> marijuana decriminalization in committee:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jim Brochin (D42 Democrat)</li><li>Jennie Forehand (D17 Democrat)</li><li>Brian Frosh&nbsp; (D16 Democrat)</li><li>Nancy Jacobs (D34 Republican)</li><li>Anthony Muse (D26 Democrat)</li><li>Jamie Raskin (D20 Democrat)</li><li>Chris Shank (D2 Republican)</li><li>Bobby Zirkin (D11 Democrat)</li></ul>Senators who voted <u>against</u> marijuana decriminalization in committee:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Steve Hershey (D26 Republican)</li><li>Norm Stone (D6 Democrat)</li><li>Lisa Gladden (D41 Democrat)</li></ul></blockquote><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;stab=03&amp;id=sb0364&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">The measure now awaits consideration by the full Senate and action in the House</a>, though it is worth noting that decriminalization legislation passed the Senate last year. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-council-eliminates-jail-time-for-marijuana-possession-stepping-to-national-forefront/2014/03/04/df6fd98c-a32b-11e3-a5fa-55f0c77bf39c_story.html">officials in neighboring Washington, DC have decriminalized pot</a>.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: FEDS APPROVE FUNDING FOR PURPLE LINE // LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM WILL OPEN IN 2020</b></u> - Maryland's light rail Purple Line project was approved for federal funding last week. The transit line would run from Bethesda to New Carrolton, with numerous stops in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/fta-recommends-federal-funding-to-build-light-rail-purple-line-in-maryland/2014/03/04/f6a53088-a32c-11e3-a5fa-55f0c77bf39c_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Katie Shaver reported on the development</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: A proposed light-rail Purple Line project has been recommended for $100 million in federal money in the next fiscal year as part of President Obama’s budget released Tuesday.... Just as significant to the project’s future is that the Purple Line was included on a list of seven large transit projects nationwide that the Federal Transit Administration recommends for a “full funding grant agreement,” a ­longer-term commitment by the federal government to help pay for the project’s construction.... “This is really good news,” said Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), whose district includes part of the proposed Purple Line route in Prince George’s County. “This really keeps the Purple Line on the trajectory we need.” The 16-mile light-rail line would have 21 stations from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s. Maryland transit officials have said they hope to begin construction in 2015 and begin service in 2020.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: ROLL CALL // ESTATE TAX CUT APPROVED BY MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES</b></u> - Progressive Maryland and some labor allies launched <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/guest-post-progressive-maryland-sounds.html">a campaign to stop a cut to Maryland's estate tax</a>. Last week a Maryland Juice reader reported that Progressive Maryland had even launched calls to voters offering to patch them through to their lawmakers. But the organization reported on Facebook last week that the House of Delegates approved the estate tax cut (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND</b></u>: Maryland House of Delegates just voted 120-13 in favor of cutting taxes for the wealthiest 3% of Maryland estates via HB 739. This vote came just 1 day after the State disclosed that it is in a budget hole and is weighing a $300 million cut to teachers and other state employees' pensions....</blockquote><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProgressiveMaryland/posts/10152844537646953?stream_ref=10">Progressive Maryland reported that 13 Democrats opposed cutting the estate tax</a>, and we learned that a <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;stab=03&amp;id=hb0739&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">14th Delegate</a> added their name to the "no" votes:<br /><ul><li>Charles Barkley (D39)</li><li>Liz Bobo (D12)</li><li>Al Carr (D18)</li><li>Jill Carter (D41)</li><li>David Fraser-Hidalgo (D15)</li><li>Ana Sol Gutierrez (D18)</li><li>Carolyn Howard (D24) </li><li>Tom Hucker (D20)</li><li>Eric Luedtke (D14)</li><li>Heather Mizeur (D20)</li><li>Shane Robinson (D39)</li><li>Jeff Waldstreicher (D18)</li><li>Alonzo Washington (D22)</li><li>Mary Washington (D43) </li></ul>The tax cut bill is now awaiting action in the State Senate. <br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: IN MIDST OF MEDIA AND NONPROFIT CRITICISM, LAWMAKERS ABANDON BILL TO BAN ACADEMIC BOYCOTTS</b></u> - Maryland Juice previously reported on a controversial bill (<a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0998&amp;stab=01&amp;pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">HB998</a> &amp; <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=sb0647&amp;stab=01&amp;ys=2014RS">SB647</a>) pitting the politics of the Middle East against academic freedom. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/maryland-bill-that-would-bar-participation-in-boycott-of-israel-goes-too-far/2014/03/08/5bc247f6-a5a0-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> recently editorialized against the bill, as it would prohibit state funding for academics engaged in boycotts</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: When an academic group announced it would boycott Israel’s higher-education institutions, the president of the University of Maryland, like dozens of his peers across the country, condemned the move. “A breach of the principle of academic freedom” said Wallace D. Loh in a joint statement with the school’s provost. We completely agree. However, legislation being advanced by state lawmakers to bar participation in the boycott goes too far and constitutes its own insidious assault on academic freedom. The Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation that would bar public universities from providing funds to academic organizations that support boycotts of Israel.....<br /><br />Academicians, including those who abhor the boycott, are right to be alarmed by this kind of legislation. The American Association of University Professors argue that the measure would impose a political litmus test on faculty members seeking university support for research meetings and travel.... At a hearing this week before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, an official from the American Civil Liberties of Union termed the bill “inimical to democratic principals.” This bill is ill-advised and should be killed. If it advances out of the General Assembly, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) should veto it.</blockquote>As a result of the backlash over the bill to ban academic boycotts, at least two sponsors are withdrawing support for the effort. A Maryland Juice reader sent us comments from the offices of two bill sponsors who are now opposing the effort:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>OFFICE OF KUMAR BARVE</b></u>: ... although the delegate co-sponsored HB 998 (Public Higher Education- Use of Funds- Prohibition), he has decided to vote against it if it reaches the House floor. <br /><br /><u><b>OFFICE OF MARY WASHINGTON</b></u>: After further research on the bill, Delegate Washington is no longer supporting HB 998 and has asked to be removed as a cosponsor. </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: GOOD BILLS TO SUPPORT // TIME TO PASS BLACK LIQUOR BILL, SECOND CHANCE ACT &amp; PACKAGE OF PRIVACY LEGISLATION</b></u> - Over the last few years, progressive lawmakers have attempted to pass a few common-sense bills but have been rebuffed time and again.<br /><br /><u><b>BLACK LIQUOR</b></u>: The first bill is a bill to end Maryland subsidies for a dirty energy source called "black liquor" that is produced from wood and paper waste (<a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=sb0734&amp;stab=01&amp;ys=2014RS">SB734</a> &amp; <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;stab=01&amp;id=hb0747&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">HB747</a>). The <a href="http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/index.php?option=com_k2&amp;view=item&amp;id=3565:clean-up-marylands-rps&amp;Itemid=18">Chesapeake Climate Action Network describes the 2014 legislative effort</a> as follows (excerpt below):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CHESAPEAKE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK</b></u>: A massive loophole in Maryland's renewable energy law is forcing ratepayers to reward the creation of greenhouse gases and harmful air pollutants. In the 2014 General Assembly, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Qualifying Biomass bill (SB 734/HB 747) would eliminate that loophole to ensure that Maryland's clean energy is actually clean.<br /><br />In 2004, Maryland became one of the first states in the country to create a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).... However, while fellow Mid-Atlantic States like Delaware and New Jersey get over 70% of their renewable energy portfolios from the wind and sun, these resources make up only 15% of Maryland's portfolio. The primary reason is a flaw in the renewable energy law that supports out-of-state, high-emission black liquor and wood waste facilities that have been in operation for over 32 years on average. These old, polluting facilities are receiving more of our renewable energy dollars than true clean energy sources like wind and solar. </blockquote><u><b>EXPUNGING CRIMINAL RECORDS</b></u>: The second bill "good bill" we're highlighting is called the Maryland Second Chance Act. This is an effort to allow residents with minor nonviolent criminal convictions to be able to shield them from public view after a number of years (<a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb1056&amp;stab=01&amp;pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">SB1056</a> &amp; <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb1166&amp;stab=01&amp;pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">HB1166</a>). The Job Opportunities Task Force provided the following update on the status of this bill:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>JOB OPPORTUNITIES TASK FORCE</b></u>: This Tuesday the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will consider the <a href="http://wypr.org/post/bill-shield-non-violent-misdemeanors-legislature">Maryland Second Chance Act of 2014</a>. This important legislation would permit the shielding of certain nonviolent misdemeanor convictions from the public. For many Marylanders this means their criminal record would no longer stand in the way of getting a job. <br /><br />Please take a minute to <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frm1st.aspx?tab=home&amp;poptype=find&amp;popid=">contact your lawmakers</a> and share your support for SB 1056/ HB 1166. Phone calls are best, but please feel free to send an email using templates for the Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary Committees.</blockquote>In a press release yesterday, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler (a candidate for Governor) announced that he would be testifying in support of the Second Chance Act at the Senate hearing today (TUE 3/11/14) (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DOUG GANSLER</b></u>: Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler will tour the Community Kitchen in East Baltimore at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday March 11 to learn how the Episcopal Community Services program uses its catering service to train and certify formerly incarcerated persons and prepare them for employment and careers in food service....<br /><br />Following the tour, Attorney General Gansler will hold a news conference on site at 11:30 a.m. to discuss his support of The Maryland Second Chance Act of 2014 (SB 1056 and HB 1166) before heading to Annapolis to testify in House and Senate committee hearings on the legislation....</blockquote><u><b>ELECTRONIC PRIVACY LEGISLATION</b></u>: Lastly, civil liberties advocates are promoting a package of legislation aimed at increasing privacy protections for Marylanders. <a href="http://www.times-news.com/local/x787210471/Package-of-legislation-aims-to-protect-technological-privacy-of-Marylanders"><i>The Cumberland Times-News</i> reported on the effort</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CUMBERLAND TIMES-NEWS</b></u>: While technology that tracks cellphones and cars has made work easier for some law enforcement officials, a bundle of proposed laws would ensure that the same technology could not violate Marylanders’ protections from unwarranted searches and seizures.<br /><br />Members of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland testified last week&nbsp; in the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in favor of four bills aimed at curbing law enforcement officials’ ability to electronically monitor citizens. If passed, the bills would require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before reading electronic communication and tracking a cellphone.<br /><br />“Your phone can tell the government where you are at any moment,” said Del. Jeff Waldstreicher, D-Montgomery, who sponsored the bill on cellphone tracking. The proposed bills would also limit the ability of police to use drones, and would place parameters on how long law enforcement officials can keep records based on license plate readers. David Rocah, senior staff attorney with the ACLU, said he is concerned that laws requiring warrants did not yet exist when smartphones be-came available to the public.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: MOCO LAWMAKERS RALLY FOR MORE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDING AS COUNTY EXEC CANDIDATES JOCKEY</b></u> - Montgomery County officials have been pushing for increased school construction dollars from Annapolis this year. In response to surging enrollment, MoCo electeds have joined with lawmakers in Baltimore and Prince George's counties to present a united front for increased modernization funds. But <a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140225/NEWS/140229513/1124/montgomery-unlikely-to-get-school-construction-funding-request&amp;template=gazette"><i>The Gazette's</i> Kate Alexander reported a couple weeks ago</a> that the funding push was facing an uphill battle in the General Assembly. Since then, MoCo officials and residents held a rally in Annapolis, and County Executive Ike Leggett issued an action alert calling on residents to contact the Governor and leaders of the House and Senate. Rival County Exec candidate Doug Duncan also released a letter he sent to MoCo's Del. Anne Kaiser and Sen. Jamie Raskin (MoCo's House &amp; Senate leaders) declaring an absence of "strong, local leadership" on school funding. Below we provide a few excerpts from the relevant statements, starting with dueling releases from Ike Leggett and Doug Duncan:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><center><u>IKE LEGGETT ACTION ALERT</u><br /><br /><b>Overcrowding in County Schools Requires More State Construction Dollars:<br />Pass Senate Bill 927 and House Bill 1323</b></center><br />Montgomery County is working closely with Baltimore County and Prince George’s County to win a state program where every $2 of County money will be matched by $1 in State money. Together, the three counties represent 44 percent of the State’s students and 46 percent of students eligible for free and reduced meals....<br /><br />Montgomery County is already planning to invest another $1.1 billion of our own County money for school construction – a record high. Over the last eight years, County funding for school construction has increased by 36 percent.<br /><br />Montgomery County needs the State of Maryland to step up with a matched program for resources over and above what the County normally receives. Investing in our future teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and innovators - and our kids' quality education - is absolutely essential for Montgomery County and is a smart investment for the whole State of Maryland.<br /><br />For more details on this campaign: <a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/schoolfunding/">http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/schoolfunding/</a><br /><br />Send messages to:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Governor Martin O’Malley - <a href="mailto:governor.mail@maryland.gov">governor.mail@maryland.gov</a></li><li>Lt. Governor Anthony Brown - <a href="mailto:lt.governor.mail@maryland.gov">lt.governor.mail@maryland.gov</a></li><li>Senate President Mike Miller - <a href="mailto:Thomas.v.miller@senate.state.md.us">Thomas.v.miller@senate.state.md.us</a></li><li>House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch - <a href="mailto:Michael.busch@house.state.md.us">Michael.busch@house.state.md.us</a></li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Thank them for their past support and tell these State of Maryland leaders why investing in our schools is critically important and why we need Senate Bill 927 and House Bill 1323.</blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>DOUG DUNCAN'S LETTER TO SEN. RASKIN &amp; DEL. KAISER</u></div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Dear Senator Raskin/Delegate Kaiser,<br /><br />I was disappointed to read last week that Montgomery County local officials are already declaring defeat on our number one priority in Annapolis - obtaining additional school construction funding to address the public school’s system’s severe overcrowding.&nbsp; I am writing to ask you and your colleagues to take decisive action and provide the leadership needed to secure this critical funding approved this year - not later as some have suggested. <br /><br />Montgomery County faces a public school overcrowding crisis, with approximately 2,500 additional students entering the school system each year for the next several years.&nbsp;&nbsp; We owe every child in Montgomery County the opportunity to learn in a clean, safe, modern, and uncrowded classroom.<br /><br />As you know, during the debate over increasing the gas tax in 2012, Baltimore City delegation members leveraged their support to get more school construction money – funds they will now receive.&nbsp; Unfortunately, largely due to the absence of strong, local leadership, Montgomery County did not secure a similar funding package to address our significant overcrowding.&nbsp; In fact, it appears that effort was given little consideration until just before this year’s legislative session began.<br /><br />As a life-long resident of Montgomery County and someone who has always made education my top priority, I respectfully ask that you and your colleagues take over where the local officials have failed, and enact legislation that will lead to Montgomery County receiving its fair share of state school construction funding.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />Douglas Duncan</blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.thesentinel.com/mont/Duncan-and-Leggett3-6-2014"><i>The Montgomery Sentinel's</i> Holden Wilen covered the jousting</a> over the school funding fight, including commentary from some of the figures above (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MONTGOMERY SENTINEL</b></u>: Doug Duncan and Ike Leggett are finding themselves at odds again, this time because Duncan says Leggett has not done enough to get Montgomery County its fair share of state construction funding.... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">[Delegate Anne] Kaiser also shrugged off Duncan’s comments about poor leadership, saying “he should know better.” “(Duncan) knows these things take time,” Kaiser said. “There is no question everyone thinks this is important....”<br /><br />Leggett campaign officials defended the current county executive’s efforts. According to Scott Goldberg, Leggett’s campaign manager, Leggett has helped secure $262 million in school construction funds during the last seven years. “That is $60 million more than the county received under (Duncan’s) previous seven years—during which the economy was booming and budgets much easier...."</blockquote>Lastly, the Montgomery County Council released a video last week making the case for increased school construction funding:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OZ6SFZrLekY" width="560"></iframe></center></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/03/issue-juice-roll-calls-on-transgender.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3018435414117961974Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:52:00 +00002014-03-11T13:52:07.015-04:00agro industrial complexcorporate abuseenvironmentfamily farmsgmomike tabororganicGUEST POST: A Maryland Farmer Makes the Case for Legislation to Require GMO Labeling // By Michael Tabor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><b>MARYLAND JUICE</b></u>: Activists are urging Maryland lawmakers to pass legislation (<a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0778&amp;stab=01&amp;pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">SB778</a> &amp; <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;id=hb1191&amp;stab=01&amp;ys=2014RS">HB1191</a>) that would require foods from genetically modified organisms (aka GMO's) to be labeled. The push for GMO labeling has been a huge political battle in numerous states and around the world, with public interest advocates taking on well-funded opponents from the ag industry like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto">Monsanto</a>. There are many nuances to the fight, including numerous public health arguments and claims that corporations often sell or license patented GMO seeds to poor farmers who would be better off using traditional methods of seed harvesting &amp; reuse. Today the State Senate is holding a hearing on the GMO labeling bill, and we have a guest post from MoCo farmer Michael Tabor about the effort:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MICHAEL TABOR</b></u>: Regarding the March 11th hearings on GMO labeling legislation, <a href="http://www.needtoknowmaryland.org/#!what-you-can-do/c1yq9">Marylanders should contact their legislators to support bills SB778 and HB1191</a>.&nbsp; As a farmer and consumer, I believe we should have the right to know if genetically modified organisms are in our food -- just as we do with the amount of calories, preservatives and food coloring consumers fought to have on food labels.&nbsp; We're intelligent enough to read, research and choose -- <i>if we have the information</i>; thus the need to have GMO foods labeled.<br /><br />Regarding the FDA’S role in protection of the public, the FDA does no independent testing of GMOs.&nbsp; They rely on short term tests conducted by the bio-tech industry! And FDA's Chief of Food Safety, Michael Taylor, has been a Monsanto Vice President. Are these tests and individuals impartial?&nbsp; You can't blame the public for being skeptical.<br /><br />On the argument of selective breeding of seeds, I do want the most disease and pest resistant varieties of seeds when I farm.&nbsp; But, genetic engineering is a hit or miss new and risky process of splicing genes from one species (usually animal) into the DNA of another (vegetable).&nbsp; This is not "natural" and not what is meant by the age old practice of "selective breeding" within the same species.&nbsp; GMOs are not an extension of "natural breeding", but rather ultimately meant for company profit because bio-tech companies have received patents on these new life forms. <br /><br />Monsanto, Syngenta and other bio-tech companies want control of what seeds farmers use.&nbsp; They have bought up the majority of the smaller seed companies in this country.&nbsp; The purchase of their GMO seeds mandates the use of their exclusive chemicals such as Roundup (glyphosate) and Atrazine, which have created superweeds that their chemicals can no longer kill.&nbsp; These chemicals flow into our drinking water.&nbsp; Syngenta recently lost a $100 million class action suit against many states and municipalities to clean the Atrazine out of the drinking water. Maryland has one of the nation's highest amounts of Atrazine in its drinking water, but for some unknown reason it was not part of the suit and did not receive any money for the cleanup.<br /><br />The issues of GMO health dangers have raised enough questions that 64 countries, including the European Union, require labeling.&nbsp; The bio-tech industry cannot prove to them that GM foods are safe. In fact, we, the American public, never had that choice - and in the end we are really the bio-tech industries' guinea pigs.&nbsp; <br /><br />I am always saddened by the fact our Governor, our Senate President, and most members of the General Assembly turn to the MD Dept of Agriculture for guidance on these issues. Its head, Buddy Hance, was the former president of the MD Farm Bureau. The farming sector, which represents only 2% of the Maryland GNP, controls public policy when it comes to the health and safety of 98% of its citizenry, the environment, and health of the Chesapeake Bay.&nbsp; The Farm Bureau, although composed of family farmers like myself, mostly represents the interests of large corporate farming including the multi-billion dollar profits of the biotechnology chemical companies.&nbsp; They pour millions of dollars into state campaigns against the labeling of GMO foods because they believe it will cut down on company profits.&nbsp; Our health and well-being are not a concern of theirs.<br /><br />So, we, the citizens of Maryland, have the right to know, so we can make informed choices, which is the backbone of a democratic society.&nbsp; We need to pass a GMO labeling law for ourselves, our children and the future.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.needtoknowmaryland.org/#!what-you-can-do/c1yq9">Call your state delegates and let them know that!</a><br /><br /><b>Michael Tabor</b><br />Farmer, Consumer and Maryland resident</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/03/guest-post-maryland-farmer-makes-case.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-1222771748336732756Sat, 08 Mar 2014 04:28:00 +00002014-03-07T23:28:46.371-05:002014 primaryanthony browncheryl kaganchris barclaydoug duncandoug ganslerheather mizeurike leggettluiz simmonsmaryland governormontgomery county executivephil andrewstom huckerCAMPAIGN JUICE: Brown & Gansler Launch TV Ads, Hucker v Barclay, Kagan v Simmons, D13 & Analysis of MoCo Exec Race<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice has a few quick updates regarding campaigns of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: GUBERNATORIAL AD WARS BEGIN // WATCH ANTHONY BROWN &amp; DOUG GANSLER'S FIRST TV SPOTS</b></u> - Begun the ad wars have. Gubernatorial candidates Anthony Brown and Doug Gansler are beginning to unload their multi-million dollars war chests on the television airwaves. Below you can see their first ads in the race for Maryland Governor:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Dc9exyeAc3c" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y4hzrl9E0Kk" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>HEADLINE UPDATE</b></u></span>: Notably, these early ads are soft and fluffy. But I fully expect the tone of future ads to take a downward spiral, based on the headlines of recent press releases I've been receiving. See a few examples below:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u><b>DOUG GANSLER</b></u>:&nbsp; Lt. Gov. Brown Says, “Leadership is About Inspiring People to Achieve Goals” – Really? </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u><b>HEATHER MIZEUR</b></u>:&nbsp; Mizeur Questions Gansler’s Commitment to Middle Class Families </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u><b>ANTHONY BROWN</b></u>:&nbsp; Doug Gansler yet to explain why he refuses to support funding full-day Pre-K for all Maryland children</li></ul><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: TOM HUCKER VS. CHRIS BARCLAY // DUELING UNION ENDORSEMENTS IN MOCO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5</b></u> - With the filing deadline closed, the race for Montgomery County Council District 5 is beginning to take shape. Board of Education President Chris Barclay received an endorsement from MoCo's teachers union, while Delegate Tom Hucker received the support of the MoCo government employees union. Check out the <a href="https://twitter.com/mceanea/status/441339783684829185">MCEA Tweet</a> and <a href="http://www.mcgeo.org/index.cfm?zone=%2Funionactive%2Fview_article.cfm&amp;HomeID=398551">MCGEO press release</a> excerpt below:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byRHFBbiemo/UxpP8Fg9gkI/AAAAAAAAHTs/3_wY9U-LpjU/s1600/mcea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byRHFBbiemo/UxpP8Fg9gkI/AAAAAAAAHTs/3_wY9U-LpjU/s1600/mcea.jpg" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>UFCW LOCAL 1994 MCGEO ENDORSES TOM HUCKER IN BID&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>FOR VACANT DISTRICT 5 COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Praises his work as state delegate advocating for women, children, and working families</div><br /><b>Silver Spring, MD.</b> - Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1994 MCGEO announced its enthusiastic support of Tom Hucker for the vacant seat in the Montgomery County Council District 5 race. Key to the endorsement, said Local 1994 President Gino Renne, was “Tom’s tireless work to protect and fight for legislation that protects our most vulnerable residents – our working moms, our children, our seniors....” MCGEO plans to make the District 5 race its top priority this election season, and will launch a robust political program including weekend door knocking and phone banks. </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: ENDORSEMENTS IN DISTRICT 17 SENATE RACE BETWEEN CHERYL KAGAN AND LUIZ SIMMONS</b></u> - Two new endorsements have been announced in the District 17 State Senate slugfest between Delegate Luiz Simmons and former Delegate Cheryl Kagan. Kagan received the support of retiring D17 Senator Jennie Forehand, while Simmons was endorsed by the MoCo government employees union MCGEO. See press release excerpts below:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE<br /><b><br /></b><b>Statement by Senator Jennie M. Forehand</b></div><br />My friends and supporters have been asking me which Senate candidate I believe should represent District 17. I am proud to announce my enthusiastic endorsement of my former colleague, Cheryl Kagan, who will best reflect my views and priorities in the State Senate.<br /><br />... I am delighted to endorse Cheryl Kagan for State Senate. Cheryl is the clear choice, and I look forward to campaigning together toward victory in the June 24th Democratic primary. I strongly urge my friends and neighbors in Rockville and Gaithersburg to join me in supporting Cheryl.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Montgomery County Public Employees Endorse Simmons for State Senate</b></div><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Simmons is UFCW 1994 MCGEO First Legislative Endorsement of 2014 Political Cycle</i></div></blockquote></div><blockquote><b>Rockville, MD</b> – Today, Del. Luiz Simmons received the endorsement of UFCW 1994 MCGEO, the Montgomery County Public Employees, in his run to be the next State Senator for District 17.&nbsp; The support of Simmons is MCGEO’s first legislative endorsement of the 2014 political cycle.&nbsp; MCGEO represents 8,000 public employees in Montgomery County and beyond.<br /><br />Gino Renne, President of UFCW 1994 MCGEO released the following statement praising Simmons for his hard work on behalf of Maryland working families, “Delegate Simmons has proven himself time and again to be a strong advocate for working families in Montgomery County and beyond.&nbsp; I am confident that as a state senator, Luiz will continue to fight and address the problems plaguing our poor and middle class....”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: POLITICAL CHESS IN DISTRICT 13 DELEGATE RACE</b></u> - David Lublin, who has rebooted the Maryland Politics Watch blog at <a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/">www.theseventhstate.com</a>, has an <a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=2215">interesting write-up about the political chess match in District 13's Delegate race</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>SEVENTH STATE</b></u>: Long story short, a husband and wife both filed for delegate as did an uncle and his niece. The wife, School Board Member Janet Siddiqui, withdrew at the last minute to refile for School Board but her husband, Nayab Siddiqui, stayed in the race.<br /><br />Both Vanessa Atterbeary, formerly a candidate in District 18, and her uncle, incumbent Del. Frank Turner filed and neither dropped out. Del. Guy Guzzone, who is running for Senate, originally planned to form a slate with incumbent Del. Shane Pendergrass, Del. Frank Turner, and Janet Siddiqui.<br /><br />Now, Guzzone, Pendergrass, and Turner have decided to put Vanessa Atterbeary on their ticket as its third candidate for delegate after a series of interviews with the prospective candidates. Nayab Siddiqui and Vanessa Atterbeary both had inside knowledge that someone was going to drop out–or else why on earth would they have filed? And now Team 13 has added the niece of an incumbent delegate to the slate....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: MY THOUGHTS ON THE RACE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE</b></u> - There are a few months left to go until the June Democratic Primary for Montgomery County Executive. After the January campaign finance filings, incumbent Exec Ike Leggett had a sizeable cash advantage over challengers Doug Duncan and Phil Andrews:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>County Executive Ike Leggett (incumbent) = $971,159.00 </li><li>Former County Executive Doug Duncan = $330,120.86 </li><li>Councilmember Phil Andrews = $118,805.41</li></ul>Between the power of incumbency and the heft of his war chest, Leggett may be sitting in a decent spot right now. But it is worth noting that even after the campaign finance reports came out, Duncan picked up endorsements from the MoCo police and firefighters unions. Meanwhile, a few major groups have yet to weigh in on the race, and Duncan may have decent residual name id from his previous terms as County Executive.<br /><br />On the financial front, history also demonstrates that money is not decisive in these races. When Leggett first won in 2006, he was heavily outspent by rival candidate Steve Silverman (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/22/AR2006082201287.html">$770,000 to $1.9 million according to <i>The Gazette</i></a>). Even still, there is likely a threshold amount of spending a countywide candidate needs to meet in order to get their basic message out. Perhaps recognizing these challenges, in recent campaign debates Duncan has attempted to draw sharp contrasts with his rivals (Leggett especially) by criticizing their records on school construction funding and other issues.<br /><br /><u><b>DUNCAN JABS</b></u>: In the latest bout of sparring, Duncan has taken to attacking Leggett for the stalled opening of the Silver Spring Transit Center. Though I can't speak for the rest of the parts of the county, I've spoken to lots of voters in the downtown Silver Spring area, and it is true that they frequently raise the Transit Center as an issue of concern. For those interested in further details on the Silver Spring Transit Center delays, <a href="http://www.actfortransit.org/purple_transit_center.html">the Action Committee for Transit has a chronology of news coverage at its website</a>. In any case, the key question at hand is whether this and other issues like school funding will come to define the race, and whether any blame will be pinned on Leggett. Perhaps that's why Duncan held a press conference this week to raise questions about county officials' roles in the Transit Center controversy (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Duncan Urges Completion of Silver Spring Transit Center;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Calls on County to Provide Answers, Plan of Action </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>SILVER SPRING, Maryland </b>– Standing on the site of the long-delayed Silver Spring Transit Center, Democratic candidate for County Executive, Doug Duncan, today called on Montgomery County officials to stop making excuses, offer up a plan of action, and move swiftly to complete a critically important transportation hub that serves thousands of Washington area commuters. Duncan, who, as County Executive, oversaw the successful revitalization of downtown Silver Spring[1], said taxpayers deserve to know when the transit center will open – and how much more it will cost to complete it.... The Silver Spring Transit Center is currently two and a half years overdue and tens of millions over budget....<br /><br />Duncan called on the County Executive and County Council to promptly give the public answers to these questions. "It’s time for answers.&nbsp; Silver Spring residents and community leaders fought too long and hard for a vibrant downtown to have to wait for this mess to be cleaned up, before they have access to the state-of-the-art transit center they were expecting," said Duncan. "This failure on the part of the County government to get the job done here leaves pedestrians at risk, commuters frustrated and hurts the economic vitality of Silver Spring.&nbsp; The people of Montgomery County deserve better."</blockquote><u><b>LEGGETT HITS BACK</b></u>: Patrick Lacefield, a spokesperson for Ike Leggett, responded in turn with the following statement:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PATRICK LACEFIELD</b></u>: This is nothing more than the previous County Executive playing politics by seeking publicity for his campaign. If he had been following this issue, he would know that we are awaiting warmer temperatures to resume the remaining work on the private contractor’s faulty concrete work. All other things being equal, the facility could be completed, turned over to WMATA and opened by the summer. The detailed plan to fix it is embodied in the KCE Report made public last year and discussed by the Council. The cost for the concrete overlay is estimated at $2 million, costs which the County will ensure would be borne by the private parties at fault for construction, design and inspection flaws, not by County taxpayers.<br /><br />The County continues to work with WMATA and the designer about the possible need to further strengthen interior beams and girders, as was discussed with the County Council last November.&nbsp; Again, the County would work to ensure that any additional costs for fixing flaws would be borne by the private parties responsible.<br /><br />It is heartening that the former County Executive is interested in the safety of the facility since previously he had expressed the view that he would simply have covered over the faulty workmanship and moved on, notwithstanding the more profound safety flaws that were discovered by KCE, with findings endorsed by three independent engineers. The County Executive has stated that he will turn over to WMATA a structure that is both safe and durable and that he will not let politics get in the way of safety, period. </blockquote>The interesting thing about Duncan raising the Transit Center controversy is that he worked for one of the parties involved in its construction. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/county-exec-candidate-duncan-says-time-for-answers-on-silver-spring-transit-center/2014/03/06/a01c4b20-a561-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Bill Turque reported on the connection yesterday </a>(<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Duncan has worked as a consultant for Foulger-Pratt, the general contractor on the project. KCE held the firm responsible for the absence of reinforcing steel in two critical 10-foot-by-40-foot slabs in the center of the bus roadway. Foulger was also accountable for unacceptably thin concrete covering in some portions of the building, KCE said. Duncan said that contractors and engineers “did not perform as expected,” but declined to criticize Foulger directly.</blockquote><u><b>THE PHIL ANDREWS EXPERIMENT</b></u>: While Doug Duncan and Ike Leggett take turns punching each other, Councilmember Phil Andrews is embarking upon an interesting political experiment. He is essentially testing whether a candidate can win a countywide race in MoCo almost entirely by door-knocking. It seems clear at this point that Andrews will be outspent (heavily perhaps?), but in his literature (scanned below) he claims that he's knocked 17,000 doors in the last year or so. By comparison, <a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/htm/pastelections/2006/electionresults2006primary/jurisdictionwide-1.htm">there were 104,979 votes cast in the 2006 Democratic Primary</a> when Leggett received 64,382 votes to Steve Silverman's 37,279. Notably, my wife reports that some of her co-workers (who are not plugged in to local politics) report having spoken to Phil Andrews personally when he canvassed their neighborhoods. In any case, you can read Andrews' literature below (<i>click on the images to expand them</i>):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo_aj_OKd_k/UxpICSo5k0I/AAAAAAAAHTM/Tqn3_7kOuR4/s1600/andrews1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo_aj_OKd_k/UxpICSo5k0I/AAAAAAAAHTM/Tqn3_7kOuR4/s1600/andrews1.jpg" height="554" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CMf3M8OgE4/UxpICu7-5gI/AAAAAAAAHTI/EoV5THfw4UQ/s1600/andrews2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CMf3M8OgE4/UxpICu7-5gI/AAAAAAAAHTI/EoV5THfw4UQ/s1600/andrews2.jpg" height="566" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_qrbjgmaKE/UxpICrUSv7I/AAAAAAAAHTE/ARKXec6Enac/s1600/andrews3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_qrbjgmaKE/UxpICrUSv7I/AAAAAAAAHTE/ARKXec6Enac/s1600/andrews3.jpg" height="552" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX9eSDyRuaI/UxpIxOTHq7I/AAAAAAAAHTc/maOImI3cEKk/s1600/andrews4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX9eSDyRuaI/UxpIxOTHq7I/AAAAAAAAHTc/maOImI3cEKk/s1600/andrews4.jpg" height="584" width="640" /></a></div></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/03/campaign-juice-brown-gansler-launch-tv.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-2978968414556239175Fri, 28 Feb 2014 18:10:00 +00002014-03-09T23:33:14.161-04:002014 primaryattorney generalbrian froshdistrict 13district 9afrank mirabilefrank turnergun controljanet siddiquijulius hensonmcdccminimum wagemontgomery countynathaniel mcfaddentransitJUICE: Frosh Video, Gross D9A Facebook Post, D13 Family Ties, Henson vs. McFadden, MoCo School $, MCDCC Battle & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a quick round-up of news items of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: BRIAN FROSH RELEASES NEW WEB VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING GUN CONTROL ADVOCACY</b></u> - <a href="http://www.brianfrosh.com/splash">Sen. Brian Frosh (a candidate for Attorney General) released a new web video</a> today highlighting testimonials from national gun control advocates:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dO3hj0cYVh0" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: OUTRAGEOUS FACEBOOK COMMENTARY FROM D9A DELEGATE CANDIDATE FRANK MIRABILE</b></u> - Social media platforms are known to produce feisty back-and-forth commentary between politicos. But a Maryland Juice reader highlighted an outrageous set of comments from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FrankMirabileMD9A">District 9A candidate Frank Mirabile</a>, a Republican candidate for an open Delegate seat.&nbsp; In the Facebook thread (<i>excerpts screen-capped below</i>), Mirabile responds to someone criticizing his stances on various issues by repeatedly insulting her physical appearance:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3w1z6Crg_I/Uw-GAGWQT8I/AAAAAAAAHR8/8vhekW_vxCY/s1600/outrageous-fb-comments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3w1z6Crg_I/Uw-GAGWQT8I/AAAAAAAAHR8/8vhekW_vxCY/s1600/outrageous-fb-comments.jpg" /></a></div><br /><u><b>#TACKY</b></u>: Maryland's District 9A is two-member House of Delegates district, with one open seat. D9A incumbent GOP Delegate Warren Miller is running for re-election, but there are four candidates in the Republican Primary for the one open seat: Eric Bouchat, Trent Kittleman, Kyle Lorton and Frank Mirabile. Notably, Frank Mirabile was also the 2010 Republican Congressional nominee against Congressman Elijah Cummings. I'm not sure I've seen a candidate for public office publish commentary as crass and unseemly as this before. Notably, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/roger.hale.5/posts/733335610051084?comment_id=6713164&amp;offset=100&amp;total_comments=397">the Facebook link appears to have been deleted</a>, but not before a few hundred comments appeared on the thread.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: BIZARRE FAMILY JOCKEYING IN HOCO'S DISTRICT 13 DELEGATE RACE</b></u> - Strange things are happening in the House of Delegates District 13 race. In the three-seat Howard County-anchored district, incumbents Shane Pendergrass and Frank Turner are currently filed to run for re-election. They had previously formed a slate with HoCo school board member Janet Siddiqui, but <a href="http://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/primary_candidates/gen_listings_2014_1_01613.html">on the last day for candidates to file, Turner's protege Vanessa Atterbeary and Siddiqui's husband Nayab Siddiqui both filed for office</a>. This appears to be a bit of a switcheroo, because Janet Siddiqui has now withdrawn from the race. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-janet-siddiqui-withdraws-district-13,0,7520635.story"><i>The Baltimore Sun's</i> Amanda Yeager had this to say</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: The political world got a last-minute shock Tuesday night when Nayab Siddiqui, husband of district 13 candidate and Howard County school board member Janet Siddiqui, filed to run in the same race. But as of Thursday afternoon, Janet Siddiqui is no longer up against her husband. She has officially withdrawn from the race, according to the state Board of Elections’ online list of candidates.... Other Democratic candidates include Oakland Mills community organizer Fred Eiland and Fulton lawyer Vanessa Atterbeary, who also filed at the last minute on Tuesday.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: JULIUS HENSON PLEDGES TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SEN. NATE MCFADDEN, EVEN AS JUDGE RULES IT IS A PROBATION VIOLATION</b></u> - Baltimore consultant Julius Henson was convicted of voter fraud charges for illegal robocalls he deployed on behalf of GOP Governor Bob Ehrlich. But Henson is now a candidate for State Senate against Sen. Nate McFadden, and he's pledging to continue campaigning even though a judge has ruled he's now violating his probation. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/judge-former-md-political-consultant-julius-henson-violated-parole-by-running-for-office/2014/02/27/a869119e-9fe6-11e3-a050-dc3322a94fa7_story.html?tid=up_next"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Paul Schwartzman reported on the development</a> (<i>excerpt below, <b>H/T</b> <a href="http://marylandreporter.com/2014/02/28/state-roundup-february-28-2014/">Maryland Reporter</a></i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Julius Henson ... promised to keep running for office despite a judge’s ruling that he had violated his probation by becoming a candidate.... Henson, 64, vowed not only to appeal but also to press on with his campaign to “retire” Nathaniel J. McFadden (D), who has served in the state Senate for 18 years....&nbsp; Prosecutors accused Henson of seeking to suppress turnout among African Americans during the 2010 governor’s race when he worked as a strategist for the campaign of former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R)....&nbsp; At Thursday’s hearing, Emmet Davitt, Maryland’s special prosecutor, argued that the language of Henson’s probation order — barring him from working on campaigns “in any capacity” — made his candidacy a violation....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: MOCO UNLIKELY TO GET SCHOOL INCREASE IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDING?</b></u> - <a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140225/NEWS/140229513/1124/montgomery-unlikely-to-get-school-construction-funding-request&amp;template=gazette"><i>The Gazette's</i> Kate Alexander reported this week</a> that despite surging enrollment, Montgomery County may be unlikely to receive an increase in school construction funding this year (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GAZETTE</b></u>: Midway through Maryland’s 90-day legislative session, county lawmakers seem to hold little hope of their top legislative priority passing the General Assembly and establishing a steady, predictable stream of state money to leverage borrowing for school construction.<br /><br />[MoCo Executive Ike] Leggett said the county began pushing for more school construction dollars in 2010 and was able to get some additional state money through the conventional budget process. But to keep pace with growing enrollment — about 2,000 new students each year for Montgomery County Public Schools — even more money is needed.... [Delegate Anne Kaiser’s school construction funding] bill is scheduled for a hearing March 6. The Senate version is scheduled for a hearing March 12.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN OPPOSING ESTATE TAX CUT</b></u> - <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/guest-post-progressive-maryland-sounds.html">Progressive Maryland's Executive Director Kate Planco Waybright recently published a guest post on Maryland Juice</a> urging lawmakers to abandon support a cut in the state's estate tax. It appears the organization is now following up on their effort with targeted social media ad buys. Check out the screen cap sent to us by a reader below:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5TinP6cf9y8/UxDGWCJm10I/AAAAAAAAHSM/FE00oVA95w8/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-26+at+10.52.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5TinP6cf9y8/UxDGWCJm10I/AAAAAAAAHSM/FE00oVA95w8/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-26+at+10.52.47+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: CONTESTED RACES FOR MOCO DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE // SEE WHO IS ON THE OFFICIAL MCDCC SLATE</b></u> - <i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> Lou Peck reported on jockeying over the upcoming Democratic Primary elections for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC). Notably, the MCDCC appoints Democrats to fill vacant legislative seats and mails sample ballots to voters recommending positions on referenda. Last year we witnessed all sorts of mayhem&nbsp; when some labor unions picketed the MCDCC spring ball due to the group's support for repeal of "effects bargaining" rights in MoCo (aka Question B). <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/January-February-2014/MoCo-Democratic-Committee-Slate/">This week<i> Bethesda Magazine</i> reported on the aftermath</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: An ongoing effort to mend a rift between the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and local labor groups appears to have taken a step forward, as a party screening committee put forth a slate of candidates aimed at placing a significant number of new faces on to the 24-member MCDCC.<br /><br />One party insider described behind-the-scenes developments over the past week – with the slate not finalized until shortly before Tuesday’s primary filing deadline – as “a bloodless coup in a lot of ways.”<br /><br />While there will be a number of contested central committee seats in the upcoming June 24 primary – including challenges to some committee veterans – the slate proposed by a five-member screening committee headed by MCDCC Chair Gabriel Albornoz won praise from a top local labor leader....</blockquote>The MCDCC sent Maryland Juice a press release announcing their selections for the official slate of recommended candidates in the June 24th primaries. Their statement noted the following (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MCDCC</b></u>: The 2014 Democratic Leadership Team Slate is pleased to announce the candidates for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. The candidates will be on this June’s primary ballot. The slate is comprised of Democratic leaders from many different backgrounds, including: labor, non-profit, government and business. In bringing this group together, party organizers considered the diverse voices and backgrounds that represent the Democratic Party –as well as the various skills and expertise needed to effectively run the party organization....</blockquote><u><b>FULL LIST OF MCDCC CANDIDATES</b></u>: All of the MCDCC races are contested, except in Districts 17, 18 and 39. Below we publish the MCDCC'S choices, along with the names of candidates who are running against the slate:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brian Anleu, District 14</li><li>Arthur Edmunds, District 14 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Pam Queen, District 14 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Anis Ahmed, District 15</li><li>Tim Whitehouse, District 15 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Venattia W. Vann, District 15 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Kris Verma, District 15</li><li>Wendy Cohen, District 16 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Loretta Jean Garcia, District 16</li><li>Almina Khorakiwala, District 16 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Julian Haffner, District 17 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Jonathan Prutow, District 17 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Alan Banov, District 18 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Aaron Kaufmann, District 18 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Hoan Dang, District 19 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Harold Diamond, District 19 - (incumbent)</li><li>Melissa Pinnick, District 19 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Tamika Bennett, District 20 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Ed Kimmel, District 20</li><li>Jheanelle Wilkins, District 20 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Juan Cardenas, District 39 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Mumin Barre, District 39 - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Darrell Anderson, At Large - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Steve Boliek, At Large</li><li>Chris Bradbury, At Large - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Natalia Farrar, At Large</li><li>Marjorie Goldman, At Large - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)</li><li>Johntel Greene, At Large - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Michael Gruenberg, At Large - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Dave Kunes, At Large - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Pavel Sukhobok, At Large</li><li>Kevin Walling, At Large - MCDCC Slate</li><li>Erin Yeagley, At Large - MCDCC Slate</li></ul><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: MINIMUM WAGE SUPPORTERS RALLY OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND RETAILERS ASSOCIATION OFFICE</b></u> - The debate over a Maryland minimum wage increase is heating up during the current Annapolis legislative session. Yesterday SEIU organized a rally outside the offices of the Maryland Retailers Association (industry opponents of the minimum wage increase). Check out some photos from the event:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvaJ8hG6KwY/UxDOxAoA4OI/AAAAAAAAHSg/GzD4-Q9ogK4/s1600/rally1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvaJ8hG6KwY/UxDOxAoA4OI/AAAAAAAAHSg/GzD4-Q9ogK4/s1600/rally1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-eCeqraLPQ/UxDOxHlBB6I/AAAAAAAAHSk/hzDdgcZDeOM/s1600/rally2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-eCeqraLPQ/UxDOxHlBB6I/AAAAAAAAHSk/hzDdgcZDeOM/s1600/rally2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKkMZtHLBG0/UxDOxHrRvLI/AAAAAAAAHSc/XcyjH8BF-fw/s1600/rally3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKkMZtHLBG0/UxDOxHrRvLI/AAAAAAAAHSc/XcyjH8BF-fw/s1600/rally3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #9</span>: NEW MAP OF THE PROPOSED MOCO RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM</b></u> - The newly rebooted Maryland Politics Watch (<a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/">www.theseventhstate.com</a>) posted <a href="http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=1995">a new map of a planned rapid transit system (RTS) for Montgomery County</a>. The transit network below is advancing right now, but it is still in the early stages of development:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXJyJdO9n7g/UxDPkpnInEI/AAAAAAAAHS0/7AjGlXGE18k/s1600/rts-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXJyJdO9n7g/UxDPkpnInEI/AAAAAAAAHS0/7AjGlXGE18k/s1600/rts-map.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-frosh-video-gross-d9a-facebook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-7005923065981757889Wed, 26 Feb 2014 01:50:00 +00002014-02-25T21:41:21.215-05:002014 primarybill frickduchy trachtenbergjamie raskinjoe vallariomarijuanamontgomery countyroger berlinerroscoe bartlettsusan leeJUICE: Frick Exits AG Race To Run for Re-Election, Challengers for Susan Lee & Joe Vallario, Trachtenberg vs. Berliner & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice has a quick round of updates of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>UPDATE</b></u></span>: <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-ousted-delegate-tiffany-alston-seeks-old-house-seat-20140225,0,4354876.story"><i>The Baltimore Sun's</i> Michael Dresser reported tonight</a> that former Delegate Tiffany Alston is running to regain her District 24 seat (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: Tiffany Alston, the former Prince George's County delegate who was ousted from her House seat in 2013 after a theft conviction, is running to get her old job back.... The 36-year-old former lawmaker pleaded guilty in June 2012 to misconduct in office and the theft of $800 from her delegate office account to pay expenses of her law firm.... O'Malley appointed former Del. Darren M. Swain to the vacated seat. He is seeking re-election in a crowded Democratic field.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: DELEGATE BILL FRICK EXITS ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IN D16</b></u> - Maryland Juice just received the following statement from District 16 Delegate Bill Frick announcing he's exiting the race for Attorney General to run for re-election to the House of Delegates:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BILL FRICK</b></u>: Today I will withdraw my candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for State Attorney General and file for re-election to the Maryland House of Delegates.<br /><br />My two terms in the House have been exceptional.&nbsp; I’ve been a part of a team that has enacted marriage equality for all Maryland couples, repealed the death penalty, protected consumers from abuses, and begun the task of reforming our tax code.&nbsp; <br /><br />While I know that I could have been a valuable asset to the State as Attorney General, there is still much to be done as a member of the House representing District 16.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: FORMER MOCO COUNCILMEMBER DUCHY TRACHTENBERG CHALLENGING COUNCILMEMBER ROGER BERLINER</b></u> -<a href="http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/02/25/trachntenberg-files-for-bethesda-county-council-seat/"> <i>Bethesda Now's</i> Aaron Kraut reported today</a> that former MoCo Councilmember At Large Duchy Trachtenberg is challenging District 1 Councilmember Roger Berliner (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA NOW</b></u>: Trachtenberg, a Democrat who was an at-large council member from 2006-2010, will take on incumbent Roger Berliner, who until Tuesday looked to have a clear path to his third term representing District 1. The last minute filing for District 1 comes as something as a surprise....<br /><br />Communications consultant and former Trachtenberg advisor Eric Hensal tweeted a photo of Trachtenberg making her run official at 2 p.m. Tuesday.... According to state campaign finance records, Trachtenberg has $122,574 in campaign funds on hand, all left over from previous campaigns.... The press release on Tuesday boasted that Trachtenberg will have the help of high profile Democratic political advisors Celinda Lake and presidential campaign veteran Joe Trippi....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: D16 DEL. SUSAN LEE TO FACE TWO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS FOR STATE SENATE</b></u> - Today was the last day for candidates to file for office, and <a href="http://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/primary_candidates/gen_listings_2014_1_01516.html">Del. Susan Lee now has two Democratic challengers for the D16 Senate seat</a>: J'aime Drayton &amp; Hugh Hill.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: HOUSE JUDICIARY CHAIR JOE VALLARIO TO FACE TWO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS FOR DELEGATE</b></u> - House of Delegates Judiciary Chair <a href="http://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/primary_candidates/gen_listings_2014_1_01623B.html">Joe Vallario is in a newly redrawn District 23B, and he's now facing two challengers</a> in his re-election bid: former school board member <a href="http://www.ronformaryland.com/meet-ron-watson/">Ron Watson</a> and <a href="http://www.votetheawilson.com/about.html">Thea Wilson</a>, a minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: FORMER CONGRESSMAN ROSCOE BARTLETT'S WIFE RUNNING FOR FREDERICK COUNTY COUNCIL</b></u> - <a href="http://www.fredericknewspost.com/locations/local/frederick_county/wife-of-former-u-s-rep-roscoe-bartlett-files-for/article_723e7af4-9e4d-11e3-a2e1-0017a43b2370.html"><i>The Frederick News Post's</i> Bethany Rodgers reported today</a> that former GOP Congressman Roscoe Bartlett's wife Ellen Bartlett is running for Frederick County Council District 1.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: ANNAPOLIS POLICE CHIEF TESTIFIES AGAINST MARIJUANA REFORM CITING HOAX ARTICLE CLAIMING 37 POT-RELATED DEATHS IN COLORADO</b></u> - <a href="http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/annapolis_capital/blogs/under_the_dome/annapolis-police-chief-cites-hoax-story-in-opposition-to-marijuana/article_f008b397-9a9c-59bc-bd78-aa1a5d22edc6.html"><i>The Carroll County Times</i>' Alex Jackson today reported</a> that law enforcement officials are continuing the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefer_Madness">Reefer Madness</a>" style justifications for continuing the failed War on Drugs in Maryland. Annapolis police chief Michael Pristoop cited a hoax article claiming that 37 people died in Colorado on the first day of legalization, and Sen. Raskin put the smack down on the false claims (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CARROLL COUNTY TIMES</b></u>: Testifying against bills proposed in Maryland to legalize and decriminalize marijuana, Annapolis Police Chief Michael Pristoop cited a hoax story that claimed 37 people died the first day marijuana was legalized in Colorado.<br /><br />"The first day of legalization, that's when Colorado experienced 37 deaths that day from overdose on marijuana," Pristoop said in testimony at Tuesday's Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing. "I remember the first day it was decriminalized there were 37 deaths."<br /><br />But Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, who has proposed a bill that would legalize, regulate and tax the drug, immediately fact-checked Pristoop. "Unless you have some other source for this, I'm afraid I've got to spoil the party here," Raskin said. "Your assertion that 37 people died of a marijuana overdose in Colorado was a hoax on the DailyCurrant and the Comedy Central website...."</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-frick-exits-ag-race-to-run-for-re.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3026756462237001168Tue, 25 Feb 2014 18:11:00 +00002014-02-26T00:29:25.853-05:002014 primaryaisha braveboyattorney generalbrian froshchris barclaydoug ganslerjon cardinluiz simmonsmaryland governormike millermontgomery countytom huckerJUICE: Gansler & Simmons Mail, AG Polls, Attack Ads for Gov, Miller Aide for Delegate, Hucker & Barclay for MoCo Council 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: DEL. LUIZ SIMMONS DIRECT MAIL INCLUDES DOUG GANSLER // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: TEAMSTERS ENDORSE SIMMONS FOR D17 SENATE</b></u> - Maryland Juice caught the following <a href="https://twitter.com/FakeLuizSimmons/status/438089084444372992">mail piece from Del. Luiz Simmons on Twitter</a>, which includes a testimonial from Attorney General Doug Gansler:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkS5SuvB8Q4/UwzGf-ktO5I/AAAAAAAAHQ8/iVEvzfPunhA/s1600/simmons-gansler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkS5SuvB8Q4/UwzGf-ktO5I/AAAAAAAAHQ8/iVEvzfPunhA/s1600/simmons-gansler.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>UPDATE</b></u></span>: A source close to Simmons clarifies that this was a legislative mailing paid for with personal funds, but the piece carries an authority line to stay in compliance with Maryland law:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ck51sgQjFg/Uw0OrkT-GJI/AAAAAAAAHRs/5sUEeTVn38k/s1600/simmons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ck51sgQjFg/Uw0OrkT-GJI/AAAAAAAAHRs/5sUEeTVn38k/s1600/simmons.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div><br /><br />Lastly, we received the following press release from Simmons today, noting the endorsement of the Teamsters:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Del. Luiz Simmons Endorsed by Teamsters Joint Council #55 for State Senate</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Rockville, MD</b> – Following the endorsement of Teamsters Local 730 the Teamsters Joint Council #55 have endorsed Del. Luiz Simmons for State Senate in District 17.<br /><br />Ritchie Brooks, President of Teamsters Local 730 released the following statement: "Luiz Simmons is our choice for State Senate in D17. The hard working men and women of the Maryland Teamsters are proud to support his candidacy and we have beeN proud to support him in the House of Delegates. Delegate Simmons shares our values, and understands the important work we do in his community and all across Maryland. We know we can count on Luiz Simmons to be a voice for working families in the Senate.”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: POLLING RESULTS IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: MOCO FIREFIGHTERS UNION ENDORSES BRIAN FROSH</b></u> - Maryland Juice previously wrote about <a href="http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/gallery/p2p-79306490/">a <i>Baltimore Sun</i> poll on the Attorney General race</a>, which showed the following status of the race:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Undecided - 69%</li><li>Jon Cardin - 18%</li><li>Brian Frosh - 6%</li><li>Aisha Braveboy - 4%</li><li>Bill Frick - 3% </li></ul><br />But <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2014/02/20/National-Politics/Polling/question_13209.xml?uuid=eEnGhppJEeOZAN2RcjPPnA#"><i>The Washington Post</i> also polled the Attorney General race</a> and came up with a different set of results from voters who lean Democratic:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>No Opinion - 40%</li><li>Jon Cardin - 22%</li><li>Aisha Braveboy - 12%</li><li>Brian Frosh - 5%</li><li>Bill Frick - 4%</li></ul><br /><u><b>2-SECOND ANALYSIS</b></u>: For a race like this, Maryland Juice urges a healthy dose of skepticism that early poll results are yet meaningful. I call this the Joe Lieberman effect; if you'll recall, Lieberman briefly weighed a Presidential bid after serving as a Vice Presidential candidate to Al Gore, and for a time he was leading in the polls. This is almost certainly owing to higher name id, but as we know, these things start to change once unknown candidates start spending money on media. In the Attorney General race, we have not yet gotten to that point in the campaign. Meanwhile, Maryland Juice received the following press release from the MoCo firefighters union, announcing their endorsement of Brian Frosh (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association (IAFF) Local 1664</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Endorse Democratic Attorney General Candidate Brian Frosh&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Union President Jeff Buddle hails Frosh’s experience and leadership</i></div><br />Bethesda, MD- Today, Brian Frosh, Democratic candidate for Maryland Attorney General, received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association (IAFF) Local 1664, representing approximately 1200 career fire fighters in Montgomery County.<br /><br />“Brian Frosh has a record on public safety that stands above the rest. We are confident that he will continue to make the safety and security of Maryland communities a top priority as our next Attorney General,” said Jeffrey Buddle, Union President, IAFF Local 1664. "He is a proven leader and will bring the right combination of experience and leadership to the Attorney General’s office. We wholeheartedly support Brian Frosh in the Democratic primary for Maryland Attorney General...."</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: DUELING ATTACK VIDEOS FROM ANTHONY BROWN &amp; DOUG GANSLER</b></u> - In the last month, gubernatorial candidates Anthony Brown &amp; Doug Gansler released YouTube videos criticizing each other. You can watch the attack videos below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>BROWN ATTACKS GANSLER </b></div><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sgAV2M753rc" width="560"></iframe></center><center><b>&nbsp;</b></center><center><b>GANSLER ATTACKS BROWN</b></center><center><b>&nbsp;</b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dkRI7f2-wKM" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: PAT MURRAY, FORMER AIDE TO SENATE PRESIDENT MIKE MILLER, FILES FOR D34A DELEGATE RACE</b></u> - <a href="http://centermaryland.org/index.php?option=com_easyblog&amp;view=entry&amp;id=882&amp;Itemid=178"><i>Center Maryland's</i> Josh Kurtz reported last week that Pat Murray</a>, a former aide to Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker Mike Busch, has filed for District 34A Delegate (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CENTER MARYLAND</b></u>: Patrick Murray, a former top aide to both Senate President Mike Miller (D) and House Speaker Mike Busch (D) and one of the most respected strategists in Maryland politics, will run for a seat in the House of Delegates this year. Murray, currently the director of State Affairs for Johns Hopkins University, filed papers Friday afternoon to become a candidate in District 34A in Harford County, the community where he grew up....<br /><br />Already running on the Democratic side are Harford County Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti; retired teacher Marla Posey-Moss, who was a Democratic nominee in 2010 but finished third in the general election; and businessman and civic activist Steve Johnson.<br /><br />Even though he’s joining the campaign late, Murray doesn’t appear to be at any kind of financial disadvantage in the Democratic primary. According to their January campaign finance reports, Johnson had less than $1,100 in his campaign account, Posey-Moss had $500 on hand, and Lisanti had no money at all. Even Glass, the lone incumbent in the race, reported just $3,100 in the bank... </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: DEL. TOM HUCKER &amp; SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CHRIS BARCLAY TO SEEK VALERIE ERVIN'S COUNCIL SEAT // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: EVAN GLASS RELEASES LIST OF SUPPORTERS</b></u> - The Democratic Primary race for Montgomery County Council District 5 is now taking shape with announcements for Valerie Ervin's seat from Delegate Tom Hucker and Board of Education President Chris Barclay. <a href="http://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/primary_candidates/gen_Listings_2014_1__by_county_16.html">Barclay filed for County Council yesterday</a> and has a <a href="http://www.christopherbarclay.org/">website</a> up:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uU7rhz7lnU4/UwzOd0Zi78I/AAAAAAAAHRM/AbWukuLYfRA/s1600/barclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uU7rhz7lnU4/UwzOd0Zi78I/AAAAAAAAHRM/AbWukuLYfRA/s1600/barclay.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a></div><br />This weekend, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/del-tom-hucker-to-announces-candidacy-for-montgomery-county-council-dist-5-seat/2014/02/23/53f28b44-9c9a-11e3-ad71-e03637a299c0_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Bill Turque reported that Del. Tom Hucker also planned to launch a campaign</a> for County Council (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Del. Tom Hucker (D-Montgomery), confirming a widely expected move, said he will file Monday as a candidate in the Democratic primary for the District 5 Montgomery County Council seat.... His announcement came with an endorsement from House Speaker Michael E. Busch: “I I am confident he will be a strong and effective advocate for the people of his district and all of Montgomery County,” he said in a statement.<br /><br />Hucker enters the race with a significant financial edge: nearly $147,000 in cash on-hand from prior fundraising for state House campaigns, according to the most recent finance report.... Barclay can keep his school board seat while running for County Council....</blockquote><a href="http://tomhucker.com/">Hucker's website</a> now also announces his Council campaign:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIUFnZwC4vk/UwzRc0vUXfI/AAAAAAAAHRY/mAwXs8MAqmQ/s1600/hucker-council.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIUFnZwC4vk/UwzRc0vUXfI/AAAAAAAAHRY/mAwXs8MAqmQ/s1600/hucker-council.jpg" height="304" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Lastly, Evan Glass, another District 5 Council candidate, sent us a press release announcing support from over 70 community leaders. Some interesting names on his list include:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams</li><li>Takoma Park Councilmember Seth Grimes</li><li>Candidate for Clerk of Circuit Court Alan Bowser</li><li>Former D20 Delegate Candidate Aaron Klein</li><li>Former Legislative Director for Heather Mizeur Patrick Metz</li><li>Board of Education At Large Candidate Jill Ortman-Fouse</li></ul><br />You can see the full release below:<br /><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/209182171/Evan-Glass-Supporters-List-for-County-Council-District-5" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Evan Glass - Supporters List for County Council District 5 on Scribd">Evan Glass - Supporters List for County Council District 5</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_45916" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/209182171/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: CONTESTED RACES FOR ALL MOCO BOARD OF EDUCATION RACES // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: ONLY MOCO COUNCILMEMBER RUNNING UNOPPOSED</b></u> - There are still eight hours left until the candidate filing deadline, but already all of Montgomery County's Board of Education races are contested. Notably, in all of the District races for school board there are only two candidates, and the top two candidates in the Non-Partisan Primary will advance to the General Election ballot.<br /><br /><u>Board of Education At Large (open seat)</u>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Edward Amatetti</li><li>Shebra Evans</li><li>Merry Eisner Heidorn</li><li>Jill Ortman-Fouse</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Board of Education District 1</u>:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Judy Docca (incumbent)</li><li>Kristin Trible</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Board of Education District 3</u>:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Laurie Halverson</li><li>Pat O'Neill (incumbent)</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Board of Education District 5</u>:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mike Durso (incumbent)</li><li>Larry Edmonds</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the County Council level, there are contested races for every position except for one. So far District 4 Councilmember Nancy Navarro is running unopposed.</div></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-gansler-simmons-mail-ag-polls.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3767844926785541697Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:01:00 +00002014-02-21T15:18:54.439-05:002014 primaryanthony brownbrooke liermancorporate welfarecriminal justice reformdavid brinkleydoug ganslerheather mizeurhouse of cardsjohn delaneyjulius hensonmontgomery countyschool boardJUICE: Delaney Out for Governor, House of Cards Extortion, MoCo School Board Races, D4, D16, D45 & D46 & Much More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round of updates to news of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: REP. JOHN DELANEY NOT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: A DEEPER DIVE INTO RECENT GUBERNATORIAL POLLS</b></u> - The race for Maryland Governor is finally settling in with a pair of developments in the last week. First, Congressman John Delaney, who had been rumored to be weighing a run for the office has instead filed for re-election to Congress. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/delaney-after-looking-at-md-governors-field-files-for-reelection-to-congress/2014/02/18/42e930ea-98c7-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> John Wagner reported on the development this week</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) filed for reelection Tuesday, a move likely to end speculation that he could run for governor. There had been chatter for more than a month about the first-term congressman from Montgomery County making a late entry into the Democratic field, fueled in part by a telephone poll that included Delaney’s name as an option for governor.... Delaney was spotted at the State Board of Elections office in Annapolis filing to run again for his 6th District seat. He did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment about the decision.</blockquote>Meanwhile, a pair of fresh polls seems to confirm the current status of the Governor's race. We previously reported on <a href="http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/gallery/p2p-79306490/">a <i>Baltimore Sun</i> poll claiming the following results</a>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Undecided - 40%</li><li>Anthony Brown &amp; Ken Ulman - 35%</li><li>Doug Gansler &amp; Jolene Ivey - 14%</li><li>Heather Mizeur &amp; Delman Coates - 10% </li></ul>But now <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/brown-has-2-1-lead-over-gansler-in-race-for-md-democratic-gubernatorial-nomination/2014/02/18/dcac56f6-989c-11e3-8461-8a24c7bf0653_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> has released results of a gubernatorial poll</a> showing very similar findings:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Undecided 43%</li><li>Anthony Brown &amp; Ken Ulman 34%</li><li>Doug Gansler &amp; Jolene Ivey 15%</li><li>Heather Mizeur &amp; Delman Coates 8%</li></ul>There are a few things to note here: 1) Brown has a sizeable lead right now (not surprising), 2) Mizeur is coming dangerously close to Gansler in both polls, and 3) there are a large number of undecided voters. All that being said, it is worth taking a closer look at one aspect of the polls. In <i>The Washington Post</i> survey results, if you strip the poll down to voters who lean Democratic <u>and</u> consider themselves likely voters, Brown's lead increases a bit (<a href="http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/local/washington-post-maryland-poll-2014-governors-race/817/">see question 4 in <i>The Washington Post</i> crosstabs</a>):<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anthony Brown &amp; Ken Ulman 41%</li><li>Doug Gansler &amp; Jolene Ivey 19%</li><li>Heather Mizeur &amp; Delman Coates 10%</li></ul><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: KEVIN SPACEY WANTS $15 MILLION FROM MARYLAND TAXPAYERS // "HOUSE OF CARDS" THREATENING TO LEAVE MD WITHOUT A HANDOUT</b></u> - Maryland Juice just started watching the second season of the popular Netflix series "House of Cards" last night. But this morning, I woke up to some irritating and ironic news about the Kevin Spacey series about political corruption. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/house-of-cards-threatens-to-leave-if-maryland-comes-up-short-on-tax-credits/2014/02/20/bf9a8206-9a70-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html?hpid=z5"><i>The Washington Pos</i>t has reported that Maryland taxpayers have been subsidizing "House of Cards" to the tune of millions of dollars</a>, and now the producers are demanding even more money or else they'll shoot in another state (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: A few weeks before Season 2 of “House of Cards” debuted online, the show’s production company sent Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley a letter with this warning: Give us millions more dollars in tax credits, or we will “break down our stage, sets and offices and set up in another state.”<br /><br />A similar letter went to the speaker of the House of Delegates, Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), whose wife, Cynthia, briefly appeared in an episode of the Netflix series about an unscrupulous politician — played by Kevin Spacey — who manipulates, threatens and kills to achieve revenge and power.<br /><br />In recent years, <span style="background-color: yellow;">Maryland has spent more than $40 million to reward movie and television production companies that choose to film in the state, and most of that largesse has gone to “House of Cards.”</span><br /><br />“This just keeps getting bigger and bigger” Del. Eric G. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), who until now has supported film tax credits, said at a hearing on the issue last Friday. “And my question is: When does it stop?...”<br /><br />In his letter to O’Malley, Charlie Goldstein, a Media Rights Capital senior vice president, wrote that the filming schedule for Season 3 has been pushed back to June to ensure that a big enough increase has been approved....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: MULTIPLE CANDIDATES FILING TO CHALLENGE MOCO SCHOOL BOARD INCUMBENTS // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: ALAN BOWSER FILES FOR MOCO CLERK OF COURT</b></u> - The candidate filing deadline in Maryland is next Tuesday, but already some interesting things are happening in Montgomery County's local races. First, numerous candidates are filing to challenge incumbent Board of Education members. The school board races are non-partisan, so in the primaries, the top two vote-getters will advance to the General Election ballot. Here is the <a href="http://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/primary_candidates/gen_Listings_2014_1__by_county_16.html">current list of candidates</a>:<br /><br /><u>Board of Education At Large (open seat)</u>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Edward Amatetti</li><li>Shebra Evans</li><li>Merry Eisner Heidorn</li><li>Jill Ortman-Fouse</li></ul><u>Board of Education District 1</u>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Judy Docca (incumbent)</li><li>Kristin Trible</li></ul><u>Board of Education District 3</u>:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Laurie Halverson</li><li>Pat O'Neill (incumbent)</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Board of Education District 5</u>:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mike Durso (incumbent)</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><u><b>MOCO CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT RACE</b></u>: Meanwhile, another unusual local race will be contested in the upcoming elections: Clerk of the Circuit Court. The current incumbent, Loretta Knight, is retiring at the end of her term this year. Two candidates are currently filed for her position in the Democratic Primary:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Clerk of the Circuit Court (open seat)</u>:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Alan Bowser</li><li>Barbara Meiklejohn</li></ul><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: TRANSGENDER NONDISCRIMINATION BILL PASSES OUT OF SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE</b></u> - The Maryland Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee has finally passed a transgender nondiscrimination bill, after years of failed efforts. The shift toward civil rights puts the effort on track to finally pass this year. According to Equality Maryland, eight State Senators on the committee voted for the nondiscrimination effort: <br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Brian Frosh</li><li>Lisa Gladden</li><li>Jim Brochin</li><li>Jennie Forehand</li><li>Anthony Muse</li><li>Jamie Raskin</li><li>Norm Stone</li><li>Bobby Zirkin</li></ol><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: ISRAEL-PALESTINE POLITICS CLASH WITH ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN ANNAPOLIS // DEL. BEN KRAMER BILL BANS ACADEMICS FROM BOYCOTTS&nbsp;</b></u> - <a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140214/NEWS/140219559/1034/kramer-bill-puts-reins-on-college-memberships&amp;template=gazette"><i>The Gazette's</i> Kate Alexander reported last week that the politics of the Middle East and academic freedom are emerging as issues</a> in Annapolis this session (<i>excerpt below</i>):</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GAZETTE</b></u>: An academic boycott of Israel by a U.S. academic association has Maryland lawmakers questioning how the state’s colleges and universities spend public funds. The American Studies Association — a national organization devoted to the interdisciplinary study of American culture and history — voted in December to boycott Israeli academic institutions.<br /><br />The University of Maryland, Baltimore County remained a dues-paying member of the association even after the vote to boycott, so Del. Benjamin F. Kramer has introduced a bill that would restrict the ability of universities and its faculty to spend public money on participation in organizations that engage in such boycotts....<br /><br />University President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous have openly opposed the academic boycott.... Just as UMBC opposed the boycott, it vigorously opposes Kramer’s bill....<br /><br />This is not the first time the legislature has questioned how Maryland universities spend public funds. In 2010, Perdue chicken farmers Alan and Kristen Hudson of Worcester County were sued by the Waterkeeper Alliance of New York over Chesapeake Bay pollution. The University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic represented the plaintiffs....<br /><br />“…[W]e believe that it constitutes a very serious threat to academic freedom and to the autonomy and integrity of the state’s publicly-supported colleges and universities,” Nathan Brown, president of the Middle East Studies Association of North America, said in a letter.... “Faculty in Maryland should not be subjected to a political litmus test concerning their involvement in academic organizations....”</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Peace Action Montgomery issued the following email alert on this issue:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>PEACE ACTION MONTGOMERY</b></u>: ... Senate bill 647 and House bill 0998 would prohibit state financial aid for public colleges and universities that fund teachers' membership or participation in academic organizations that support boycotts against higher-eduction institutions in other countries....<br /><br />Along with the Center for Constitutional Rights, the National Lawyers Guild, the ACLU, and the New York Times editorial board, we believe that this bill is an unconstitutional infringement of free speech and that it is very dangerous....<br /><br />In coalition with many other groups in MD, we have joined an ad hoc coalition to oppose SB 647 and HB 0998. You can read more details about this bill, its background, and the broad-based opposition to it on the ad hoc coalition's <a href="http://www.freespeechfreestate.org/">Web site</a>....&nbsp; </blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: IKE LEGGETT &amp; DOUG DUNCAN CLASH OVER BIOTECH INCUBATOR IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY</b></u> - As Montgomery County's race for Executive heats up, incumbent Ike Leggett and former Exec Doug Duncan are increasingly clashing over policy matters. The latest skirmish resolves around a Montgomery County biotech business incubator. <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/techflash/2014/01/doug-duncan-blasts-moco-biotech.html"><i>The Washington Business Journal </i>reported that Duncan threw the first punch on the issue</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL</b></u>: Doug Duncan, the former Montgomery County executive who is running this year for his old job, issued a broadside Friday against the county's decision to close its largest biotech incubator.</blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">In a guest commentary in this week's Business Journal, Duncan attacks what he refers to as a "questionable county action" to evict more than three dozen startups from the William Hanna Center for Innovation at Shady Grove to make way for a cybersecurity center.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The 60,000 square foot facility — also referred to as the Shady Grove Innovation Center — has been in operation for about 15 years. The vast majority of its occupants are biotechs, which make use of the lab space provided by the incubator. In its place will be a federally-funded "center of excellence" for non-defense cyber run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Duncan's letter signals that the incubator's closure has spilled into the county executive race, where he is seeking to unseat two-term executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett. "In 2013, his seventh year in office, Leggett announced a new 'open for business' initiative. That’s certainly not the impression given to the companies that will be displaced," Duncan wrote. "Nor was it the message perceived by the biotech world, both in and beyond the county, which sees Montgomery County as a haven for fostering biotechnology and life science innovation...."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140219/OPINION/140219270&amp;template=gazette"><i>The Gazette's</i> editorial board weighed in on the issue on the side of Ike Leggett</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>GAZETTE</b></u>: In Doug Duncan’s quest to reclaim the reins of Montgomery County political power, he has attacked Isiah Leggett’s decision to relocate some biotech businesses out of a Gaithersburg incubator. The move is to make room for the county’s effort to become a cybersecurity center for Maryland.<br /><br />On this, Duncan is wrong and Leggett is right.<br /><br />Duncan, who will face Leggett in the Democratic primary in June, believes the county should find a way to keep the biotech companies in place and find somewhere else for the cybersecurity businesses.... A new location to house cybersecurity start-ups would cost $3 million, the county says. The cost inside the William Hanna Center for Innovation: $750,000. Where would Duncan find the difference? He doesn’t say....<br /><br />We appreciate Duncan’s desire to assist growing biotechs.... However, his recent actions cast him as a politician who has forgotten the financial difficulties of the last six years. Adding millions to the county’s bottom line looks like a 20th-century thing to do.</div></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: GOP DEL. MICHAEL HOUGH CHALLENGING GOP SEN. DAVID BRINKLEY, CALLING HIM O'MALLEY'S "RUBBER STAMP"</b></u> - Maryland Juice reader Howard Gorrell forwarded us news of intra-party battle between GOP lawmakers Del. Michael Hough and Sen. David Brinkley. <a href="http://houghforsenate.com/hough-to-challenge-brinkley-for-state-senate-seat/">Hough announced the Republican Primary challenge on a press release on his website</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MICHAEL HOUGH</b></u>: ... Today Maryland State Delegate Michael Hough (Frederick &amp; Washington Counties), announced he is running for state senate in district 4 (Frederick &amp; Carroll Counties). Hough said, “Frederick and Carroll Counties deserve a true conservative Republican, not ‘O’Malley-lite.’ To quote one of my heroes President Ronald Reagan, we need to be a party of bold colors, not pale pastels....”<br /><br />Hough concluded, “Senator David Brinkley’s record shows that he is nothing more than a rubber stamp for O’Malley’s and the Democrats’ liberal agenda. Frederick &amp; Carroll counties deserve a state senator who will fight out-of-control taxes and stand firm for our conservative values.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: ROCKVILLE COUNCILMEMBER TOM MOORE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR MOCO COUNCIL DISTRICT 3</b></u> - Rockville City Councilmember Tom Moore hosted a kickoff event for his campaign for the MoCo Council District 3 this week. Incumbent Phil Andrews is vacating the seat to run for County Executive, and so far Gaithersburg Mayor Sid Katz, Gaithersburg Councilmember Ryan Spiegel, and activist Guled Kassim have announced plans to run for the seat. Below you can see a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moore4council/photos/a.695478263806673.1073741831.679765998711233/695479263806573/?type=3&amp;theater">photo from Tom Moore's kickoff</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34DLbue0JuE/UwedgJv_12I/AAAAAAAAHQs/kE8vTZ_yfuM/s1600/tom+moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34DLbue0JuE/UwedgJv_12I/AAAAAAAAHQs/kE8vTZ_yfuM/s1600/tom+moore.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #9</span>: JULIUS HENSON VIOLATING PROBATION TERMS BY RUNNING AGAINST D45 STATE SENATOR NATE MCFADDEN</b></u> - Julius Henson, who was convicted of election fraud in a case involving robocalls he created on behalf of GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Ehrlich, had previously announced a Democratic Primary challenge to D45 State Senator Nate McFadden. But <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-state-says-julius-henson-campaign-violates-his-probation-20140219,0,1496229.story?track=rss"><i>The Baltimore Sun's</i> Luke Broadwater reports that Henson may be violating the terms of his probation</a> by running for office (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: Veteran political consultant Julius Henson pledged Wednesday to continue running for a Maryland Senate seat even though the state says that may violate the terms of his probation.<br /><br />“Whether I’m free or in prison, the contest will go on and I plan to win this race,” Henson, 64, said during an afternoon news conference in the living room of his East Baltimore home. He vowed to “retire” longtime Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden, whom he plans to challenge in the June 24 Democratic primary.<br /><br />Henson is serving three years probation stemming from his conviction in a high-profile election-fraud case. As part of the sentence, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Emanuel Brown ordered that Henson “shall not work in any political campaign paid/volunteer during probation....”<br /><br />At issue is whether Henson is prohibited from running for office or only from working on another candidate’s campaign. Gerard Shields, a spokesman for the state prison system, said Henson’s probation agent alerted the court of the potential violation after learning that Henson was planning to run for state Senate. A hearing before Judge Brown is scheduled for Feb. 27.... </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #10</span>: KYLE LIERMAN OPTS AGAINST D16 CAMPAIGN // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: SISTER BROOKE LIERMAN POISED TO WIN D46 DELEGATE SEAT</b></u> - <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/January-February-2014/Filing-Deadline-Looms-Lierman-Lee-Dist-16/"><i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> Lou Peck today reported that former D16 Delegate candidate Kyle Lierman has opted against a 2014 run for office</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: Kyle Lierman, who had been mulling a race for an open state Senate seat, has decided to forgo a run in Bethesda/Potomac-based District 16 this year, sources said late Thursday.<br /><br />His decision all but assures Delegate Susan Lee’s election this year to the seat being vacated by Sen. Brian Frosh, who is running for state attorney general. With only four days until the filing deadline for the June 24 primary, no other Democrats have filed for the slot – and no one else appears to be on the horizon in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />Lierman came within several hundred votes of capturing the Democratic nomination for a state delegate seat in District 16 four years ago, and also had been mulling a reprise run for delegate. His move further reinforces the status of health policy advocate Hrant Jamgochian and attorney Marc Korman as the strong favorites this year to capture two open delegate seats created by Lee’s run for Senate and Delegate Bill Frick’s candidacy for the attorney general slot also sought by Frosh....</blockquote><u><b>BROOKE LIERMAN SURGING</b></u>: Meanwhile, Kyle's sister Brooke Lierman is a candidate for Delegate in Baltimore-based District 46. Brooke looks well-poised to win a Delegate seat given the broad support her campaign is receiving. First, the D46 Democratic incumbents (Senator Bill Ferguson &amp; Delegates Pete Hammen and Luke Clippinger) have formed a slate with Brooke Lierman. Additionally, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Baltimore Councilmember Edward Reisinger, the League of Conservation Voters, and others have also endorsed Brooke for D46 Delegate. Dems in other parts of the state have apparently taken notice, as we received a statement of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeffwaldstreicher/posts/649146565131696?stream_ref=10">endorsement for Brooke Lierman from MoCo Del. Jeff Waldstreicher </a>(<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>JEFF WALDSTREICHER</b></u>: We need more progressive voices in Annapolis. We need Brooke Lierman. I endorse my friend Brooke without hesitation or reservation. She is the best candidate to ensure our great state reaches its full potential--a green, safe, &amp; prosperous Maryland....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #11</span>: ADVOCATES SEEK TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM &amp; MASS INCARCERATION WITH THE "MARYLAND SECOND CHANCE ACT"</b></u> - Last year, <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2013/03/good-md-bills-1-privacy-for-minor.html">Maryland Juice wrote about a worthy effort by some Maryland lawmakers to bring some sanity to our criminal "justice" system</a> by allowing residents to shield minor crimes from public view after a few years (think minor nonviolent misdemeanor offenses and simple pot possession charges, as examples). Currently, a conviction for a minor crime can stick on one's public record for years and create unnecessary obstacles to employment. This session, advocates are making another effort to pass reform legislation. <br /><br />The 2014 shielding legislation is now titled the Maryland Second Chance Act of 2014.&nbsp; This year's proposed legislation would allow persons to petition the courts to shield certain nonviolent misdemeanor convictions from public view.&nbsp; Law enforcement, courts and certain employer would maintain access to shielded records.<br /><br />Last year, the shielding legislation came very close to passing, but fell victim to the drama of the House Judiciary and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee over an unrelated bill.&nbsp; This year, however, there is a strong chance that it could pass given current local (and national) conversations around mitigating the collateral consequences of those with a criminal record - particularly those convicted of nonviolent misdemeanor offenses and persons and color.&nbsp;&nbsp; It won't be easy, but at least folks are interested in Annapolis.&nbsp; Sponsors this year are Senators Jamie Raskin and Verna Jones-Rodwell and Delegates Curt Anderson and Jeff Waldstreicher.&nbsp; The fact sheet for the bill (from the Job Opportunities Task Force) is below:<br /><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/208429424/Maryland-Second-Chance-Act-2014-Fact-Sheet" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Maryland Second Chance Act 2014 Fact Sheet on Scribd">Maryland Second Chance Act 2014 Fact Sheet</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_93382" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/208429424/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #12</span>: MOCO COUNCIL HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON CLEAN ELECTIONS PROPOSAL</b></u> - The Montgomery County Council is debating a program for public financing of local elections (aka "clean elections"), and they have scheduled a <b><u>public hearing for Tuesday, March 4th, at 7:30 pm.</u> </b><br /><br />Under a public funding program, candidates for County Council or County Executive would raise low-dollar donations from individual donors in their district to qualify for public funds, and in exchange turn down large donations from wealthy donors or corporations.<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>To testify, call 240-777-7803 and ask to be added to the witness list. Make sure you speak to a live person as leaving a message on the voicemail system will not sign you up on the list. </li></ul>The bill file, including the language of the bill, is available at the <a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/Resources/Files/bill/2014/Packets/20140204_5D.pdf">County Council website</a>. You can watch a video from the press conference launching this initiative below:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nvRGPP1qKJ8" width="420"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #13</span>: STATE OF BLACK MONTGOMERY EVENT SOLD OUT FOR THIS SATURDAY</b></u> - Maryland Juice received an invitation to <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-1st-annual-state-of-black-montgomery-tickets-10526171061">a forum titled "The State of Black Montgomery."</a> The event this Saturday is sold out, but there may be standing room available for late registrants. Here's the event description:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County (AADCMC), the Montgomery County Young Democrats (MCYD), and other organizations throughout the metropolitan area are joining forces to convene a call to action forum that will explore and address topics pertinent to the black community. The State of Black Montgomery will bring together Montgomery County’s elected officials, business leaders, community activists and the community at large to advance the successes of the black community in Montgomery County.<br /><br />Panel Topics Include:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Empowering and Engaging Our Youth </li><li>Increasing Our Political Participation&nbsp;</li><li>Addressing Our Social Justice Issues&nbsp;</li><li>Advancing Our Economic Power</li></ul></blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-delaney-out-for-governor-house-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-3986257208655468922Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:00:00 +00002014-02-21T21:05:39.182-05:00anti-tax hysteriamaryland housemaryland senatemd vs vaprogressive marylandprogressive taxationGUEST POST: Progressive Maryland Sounds Off On Estate Tax Cut Proposal // By Kate Planco Waybright, Executive Director<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Maryland Juice received the following guest post from Kate Planco Waybright, Executive Director of Progressive Maryland:</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Maryland Progressives Lead Charge to Give Top 2% a Tax-Break&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>on the Backs of Working Class Marylanders </b></div><br /><u><b>KATE PLANCO WAYBRIGHT</b></u>: Something smells fishy in Annapolis, and it’s not crab cakes. Unfortunately, some so-called progressive legislators (wait till you hear who!) have hopped on the Republican bandwagon—they are seeking to increase the Maryland estate tax exemption from the current level of $1 million to the federal level of $5.34 million. At a time when income inequality is one of the nation’s most discussed issues, a reduction in the estate tax fails to encourage a fair and progressive tax structure and will serve only the wealthiest Maryland citizens at the expense of hardworking middle and lower class families. <br /><br />A just-released Baltimore Sun poll of 1200 registered voters likely to vote in the June primary show that a whopping 71% are concerned about the state budget deficit. At a time in which 594,000 Marylanders are still living in poverty, it is difficult to understand why any lawmaker—let alone one who bills him or herself as progressive—would cast a vote in support of cutting taxes on the wealthiest estates in Maryland, especially when such a measure will cost the state tens of millions each year. With a current estate tax exemption up to $1 million, less than 3% of estates are subject to the tax while nearly $90 million in revenues each year go to the state’s General Fund for core public services. These public services help provide a critical social safety net for our state’s most vulnerable citizens, and support our state’s investment in schools, job training, health care, public safety, infrastructure, clean energy, and so much more. <br /><br />Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Mike Busch are the most enthusiastic about this move. They have sponsored bills in their respective chambers and lined up an impressive array of legislators as cosponsors. In the Senate, for instance, we have Montgomery County Sens. Jennie Forehand, Brian Feldman, Karen Montgomery, and Nancy King. Prince George’s County Sens. Joanne Bensen and Ulysses Currie. And Baltimore City Sens. Lisa Gladden, Nathaniel McFadden, and Catherine Pugh. That’s not the full list of Democrats adding their name to the proposal, either. <br /><br />In the House, we have Montgomery County Delegates Jim Gilchrist, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Kathleen Dumais, Anne Kaiser, Ariana Kelly, Susan Lee, Aruna Miller, Lou Simmons, and Craig Zucker, plus a whole crop of Democrats from other parts of the state, including 2 attorney general candidates—Jon Cardin and Bill Frick. Full details on: <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0602&amp;stab=01&amp;pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">SB602</a> &amp; <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0739&amp;stab=01&amp;pid=billpage&amp;tab=subject3&amp;ys=2014RS">HB739</a>.<br /><br /><u>Right above the lists of Democrats are these bills' fiscal notes, which say this</u>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The bill increases the value of the federal unified credit used in the calculation of Maryland estate taxes equal to an exclusion of $1.75 million for decedents dying in calendar 2014, $2.5 million in calendar 2015, and $3.5 million in calendar 2016. Beginning in 2017, the value of the credit will be equal to the amount of the federal exclusion allowed in the taxable year. <b>As a result, general fund revenues decrease by $27.9 million in fiscal 2015, $58.6 million in fiscal 2016, $84.7 million in fiscal 2017, $121.9 million in fiscal 2018, and $137.7 million in fiscal 2019. </b></blockquote>So, to review: Democrats in Maryland want to join Republicans in passing a tax break for the very wealthiest of Marylanders that will result in millions lost from our General Fund—more than $100 million in a few years. And to think—people say Maryland is so progressive. If that’s the case, what are these so-called progressives thinking?<br /><br />Let me knock out some of the arguments I have heard. First, it’s important to note that while the estate tax is imposed on the transfer of the taxable estate of a deceased person, all property left to a surviving spouse, no matter the amount, is exempt from the estate tax. Second, you should be aware that the estate tax is not a duplicative tax, which some argue. Yes, Maryland has an inheritance tax—but inheritance taxes aren’t paid by the estate of the deceased, but by the inheritors of the estate. And the inheritance tax doesn’t apply to a direct beneficiary that includes a child, parent, step-parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, other descendent, or a corporation if all stockholders are direct beneficiaries. That’s a pretty generous list.<br /><br />Advocates for raising the exemption claim that wealthy, older Marylanders are leaving the state to avoid having their estates pay this tax, but arguments of tax migration are just a myth. Recent studies have confirmed Maryland’s distinction as the number one state for millionaires per capita. (The top six states in millionaires per capita in 2013 all have an estate tax!). In fact, a December report by the Maryland Dept. of Planning confirmed that people over 55 are the wealthiest segment of Marylanders, and that our state continues to gain wealthy residents in this age bracket. <br /><br />Advocates also cite the burden on farms, but Maryland law protects family farms by exempting up to $5 million of unqualified agricultural property passing from a decedent to a family member who will continue to use the property for agricultural purposes for at least ten years. State law also limits the tax rate imposed and provides for a 3-year payment deferral for estate taxes on family farms.<br /><br />So why would so-called progressive legislators in Maryland allow us to go in the wrong direction? Are they donning their George W. Bush masks because it’s an election year and they want to curry favor with conservatives? Do these legislators themselves have estates worth more than a million dollars? Do they feel it’s more important to ensure their wealthy constituents can hang onto every last penny of their millions than to take care of all Marylanders?&nbsp; <br /><br />Since 2010, six states have reinstated or increased their estate tax. Passage of this measure would be a grave injustice to the residents of the state of Maryland—helping the very few at the expense of many. Reducing taxes for the wealthy while robbing the state budget of funds that support programs that working families depend upon is just wrong. Progressive Maryland believes that a fair tax system asks all citizens to contribute to the cost of government services based on their ability to pay. We hope Maryland Juice readers will join us in opposing these efforts to increase the estate tax exemption for Maryland’s wealthiest citizens. <br /><br />Please take a moment to send a message to your letters in opposition to these proposals: <br /><a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5206/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9194">http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5206/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9194</a><br /><br /><b>Kate Planco Waybright</b><br /><b>Executive Director, Progressive Maryland </b></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/guest-post-progressive-maryland-sounds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-6868463582190167956Mon, 17 Feb 2014 18:28:00 +00002014-02-17T16:00:43.376-05:002014 primaryanthony browndoug duncandoug ganslerheather mizeurike leggettluiz simmonsmarijuanamaryland governormd vs vaminimum wagemontgomery county executivensaphil andrewspoll resultsJUICE: Governor Poll Results, MoCo Exec Debate, Minimum Wage Status, D17, Deportations, Pot, Reporter Shield, MD vs VA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a quick round of updates on the status of high-profile legislative initiatives and campaigns of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: GUBERNATORIAL POLL RESULTS - BROWN 35%, GANSLER 14%, MIZEUR 10% // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: AG POLL RESULTS - CARDIN 18%, FROSH 6%, BRAVEBOY 4%, FRICK 3%</b></u> - This week, <a href="http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/gallery/p2p-79306490/"><i>The Baltimore Sun</i> released results of a poll they commissioned</a> showing the status of the Democratic Primaries for Governor and Attorney General. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, because candidates in both races have not yet spent funds on media. Correspondingly, there are large numbers of undecided voters in the races for Governor and AG, but the early results are still pretty interesting. Here's a snapshot of <a href="http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/gallery/p2p-79306490/"><i>The Baltimore Sun's</i> survey results</a>:<br /><br /><b>Democratic Primary for Governor</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Undecided - 40%</li><li>Anthony Brown &amp; Ken Ulman - 35%</li><li>Doug Gansler &amp; Jolene Ivey - 14%</li><li>Heather Mizeur &amp; Delman Coates - 10%</li></ul><b>Democratic Primary for Attorney General</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Undecided - 69%</li><li>Jon Cardin - 18%</li><li>Brian Frosh - 6%</li><li>Aisha Braveboy - 4%</li><li>Bill Frick - 3%</li></ul>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/January-February-2014/Gansler-Leads-in-Local-Endorsements-Some-MoCo-Officials-Stay-on-Sidelines/"><i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> Lou Peck had a different analysis of the Governor's race</a>. In an article last week, he sorted out support for Brown and Gansler in their home counties (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: Gansler has the backing of 16 of Montgomery County’s 32-member General Assembly contingent, with four senators (Brian Feldman of Potomac, Jennie Forehand of Rockville, Richard Madaleno of Kensington, and Karen Montgomery of Brookeville) and 12 delegates publicly behind him. By the same token, Brown has the backing of 15 members (five senators, 10 delegates) from among the 30-member Prince George’s delegation....&nbsp; <br /><br />There is, however, a striking disparity in the level of support for Brown and Gansler among their home county councils: While Brown has the public backing of six of the nine members of the Prince Georges Council, Gansler has yet to attract the endorsement of a single member of the Montgomery council....<br /><br />Privately, it appears that policy differences are keeping some officials in the state’s most avowedly liberal jurisdiction from embracing native son Gansler, a long-time death penalty supporter who more recently has called for a corporate tax cut....</blockquote>Lastly, Gansler announced in a press release today that he received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Firefighters union (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DOUG GANSLER (VIA PRESS RELEASE)</b></u>: During his remarks, Gansler announced that the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1664, AFL-CIO, CLC has endorsed the Gansler/Ivey ticket.<br /><br />“It is with great excitement that the firefighters right here in this county are getting behind Attorney General Gansler’s campaign for governor. Doug’s strong record on public safety, his support for firefighters, dating all the way back to when he first became State’s Attorney in 1998, and his willingness to fight for the people of Maryland make him our choice for Governor,” said IAFF Local 1664 President Jeffrey Buddle. “We look forward to campaigning with him, making calls, knocking doors, whatever it takes....”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: MARYLAND IS BEATING VIRGINIA IN JOB GROWTH&nbsp; / / <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: MARYLAND HAS MOST MILLIONAIRES IN THE NATION (PER CAPITA)</b></u>&nbsp; - In recent years, some Maryland politicians have justified regressive policy proposals and corporate welfare by pointing to the economic threat posed by the anti-tax politics of Virginia. But is all that hysteria and race-to-the-bottom policymaking actually connected to the real world? Two studies released this year would suggest not:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>FIRST:</b></u> <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/167126/north-dakota-leads-job-creation-fifth-straight-year.aspx?version=print">Gallup this week released a study ranking states in job creation and retention</a>. Though Maryland is by no means leading the nation in this category, <u>we are ahead of Virginia</u>. I repeat, Maryland is ahead of Virginia for job growth. Maryland is #22 in the nation for job growth, while Virginia is tied for #32. North Dakota is #1 for job growth right now, and Washington, DC is #2.<br /><br /><u><b>SECOND</b></u>: Earlier this year, <a href="http://w3.phoenixmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Phoenix-GWM-U.S.-Ranking-States-By-Millioinaires-Per-Capita-2006-13.pdf">Phoenix Marketing International released a report ranking the states with the most millionaires (per capita)</a>. It turns out <u>Maryland is #1 in the nation for millionaires</u>, while Virginia is #7.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: DEBATE BETWEEN MOCO EXEC CANDIDATES GETS HOT AS DUNCAN, ANDREWS &amp; LEGGETT SPAR // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: SEE VIDEOS OF THE CLOSING STATEMENTS</b></u> - Maryland Juice attended an interesting debate between Montgomery County Executive candidates last week. The MoCo teachers union (MCEA), hosted a school policy forum with County Executive Ike Leggett, former County Executive Doug Duncan, Councilmember Phil Andrews, and GOP candidate Jim Shalleck. Though Shalleck (the lone Republican candidate) presented as an amusing and likeable guy, the sparks started flying between the Democratic candidates. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/leggett-duncan-clash-over-school-funding-in-first-head-to-head-campaign-appearance/2014/02/13/014c384a-945c-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Bill Turque captured a few of the heated jabs in an article last week</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: The question was when, not if, Doug Duncan would start throwing punches during Wednesday night’s first joint appearance of candidates for Montgomery County executive.... He consequently took every opportunity to depict County Executive Isiah Leggett as weak and ineffective, especially when it came to securing school funding from Annapolis....<br /><br />Calmly but firmly, Leggett gave as good as he got, dismissing Duncan’s version of recent county history as “a parallel universe.” Money was easier to find in the go-go economy that existed during much of Duncan’s three-term tenure, he said. “The good old days are gone,” Leggett said. “It is the real days today.”<br /><br />Duncan came prepared to make school overcrowding and construction issues the centerpiece of his attack..... “This is a problem we’ve known about for several years,” Duncan said. “What took you so long?...” “We’re in this mess because of a lack of leadership by my two primary opponents,” Duncan said.<br /><br />“I think we need a little bit of reality,” Leggett responded.... Leggett framed the larger issue as Duncan’s triumphal view of his own record, which he said ignores profligate spending that placed the county in a serious financial hole even before the Great Recession.<br /><br />“When I assumed this office [in 2007], the county was broke and getting broker,” Leggett said, referring to large deficits that he and the County Council had to close. Leggett touted significant increases in capital spending for schools during his tenure, along with reductions in emergency response times, advances in affordable housing and record cash reserves as proof of the sound management ability he brought to the job....</blockquote><u><b>VIDEOS OF THE CLOSING STATEMENTS</b></u>: Montgomery Community Media posted videos of the closing statements from all four County Executive candidates, and I encourage you to check out their comments below. You can see the back and forth between Doug Duncan and Ike Leggett in their final comments, but Phil Andrews closing statement is also worth a watch. Andrews lists a series of progressive legislation he authored, such as a living wage law, public smoking ban, and clean elections bill for local campaigns. He also takes a jab at Annapolis, stating that MoCo has increased costs because of "bad decisions by the General Assembly."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Doug Duncan Closing Statement</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jTQnfhEATZ4" width="560"></iframe></center><center><b>&nbsp;</b></center><center><b>Ike Leggett Closing Statement</b></center><center><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/h30k7sBFPDk" width="560"></iframe></center><center><b>&nbsp;</b></center><center><b>Phil Andrews Closing Statement</b></center><center><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b-kHu9dL4ws" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><center><b>Jim Shalleck Closing Statement</b></center><center><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ckIw2cE2M3g" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: DELEGATE LUIZ SIMMONS SENDS ANOTHER MAIL PIECE IN D17 SENATE RACE</b></u> - Delegate Luiz Simmons is running against former Delegate Cheryl Kagan for the District 17 State Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jennie Forehand. He sent the following direct mail piece to voters last week:<br /><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/207563667/District-17-Direct-Mail-from-Del-Luiz-Simmons" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View District 17 Direct Mail from Del. Luiz Simmons on Scribd">District 17 Direct Mail from Del. Luiz Simmons</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_38297" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/207563667/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: GOV. O'MALLEY QUESTIONING WHY MD'S SO-CALLED "SECURE COMMUNITIES" PROGRAM IS DEPORTING MANY NON-CRIMINALS</b></u> - A few years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a sketchy new program called "Secure Communities" that gave local police the power to check the immigration status of people they encountered, and to process for deportation those without proper documentation. The program was built during the xenophobic policy wave that emerged during the recession, but in 2011 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/us/06immigration.html?_r=0"><i>The New York Times</i> reported that several states tried to resist participation in the program</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>NEW YORK TIMES</b></u>: A program that is central to President Obama’s strategy to toughen enforcement of immigration laws is facing growing resistance from state governments and police officials across the country.<br /><br />Late Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois said he was pulling his state out of the program, known as Secure Communities, the first time a state has sought to withdraw entirely. In California, where the program is already under way throughout the state, the Legislature is considering a bill that would allow counties or police agencies to choose whether to participate.<br /><br />In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick has held a series of heavily attended and sometimes raucous meetings on the program in an effort to vent criticism and build support for the administration’s approach. In Maryland, Montgomery County considered withdrawing, then concluded reluctantly that it had to take part....</blockquote>Three years later, Maryland Juice is not surprised to see that the hysteria-driven "Secure Communities" program is doing exactly what we feared -- deporting residents who are not dangerous criminals. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-secure-communities-omalley-20140211,0,211544.story"><i>The Baltimore Sun</i> reported on the unfortunate (yet predictable) policy development</a>s, and that Governor O'Malley is now questioning the Department of Homeland Security's implementation of the program (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: Gov. Martin O'Malley on Tuesday demanded that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security explain why federal officials are deporting a higher share of noncriminals from Maryland than from most other states under a controversial immigration program called Secure Communities.<br /><br />In a sharply worded letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, the governor called on the federal agency to document why the program has led to the deportation of undocumented immigrants with either no criminal record or only misdemeanor convictions, when its long-stated intent is to target dangerous criminals.<br /><br />O'Malley, a Democrat, wrote to Johnson days after The Baltimore Sun reported that the share of noncriminals deported under Secure Communities in Maryland is twice the national average.</blockquote><blockquote><span style="background-color: yellow;">More than 40 percent of the immigrants who have been deported from Maryland under the program since 2009 had no prior criminal record, according to government data</span>.<br /><br />And the governor signaled that he is weighing legislation in the General Assembly that would limit the circumstances under which local jails agree to hold immigrants who have not been arrested for or previously convicted of serious crimes. Democratic governors in California and Connecticut have signed similar measures recently....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: DC COUNCIL PASSES MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION WHILE MARYLAND HOUSE SPEAKER FORMS COMMITTEE TO STUDY MARIJUANA ISSUES</b></u> - The future of marijuana policy in Maryland is beginning to take shape, as House of Delegates Speaker Mike Busch recently appointed a legislative task force to study the various reform bills being proposed. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-house-speaker-to-name-group-to-look-at-full-spectrum-of-marijuana-proposals/2014/02/05/fbf00552-8ea2-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> reported on the development earlier this month</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: With the aim of taking a broad look at a range of proposed legislation on marijuana usage, Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch said Wednesday that he plans to appoint a work group of a dozen delegates to recommend a path forward this session.<br /><br />A flurry of bills have been introduced since the 90-day session began last month that would either legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana or reclassify its use as a civil offense, rather than a criminal offense, subject only to fines of $100 or less....<br /><br />“We want to fashion a work group to get as much information as we can on the full spectrum of ideas,” Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said in an interview. He said it is likely that legislation will emerge on medical marijuana and unlikely that a bill will pass this session legalizing marijuana for recreational use, as Colorado and Washington state have done. Busch said he expects robust debate on “decriminalization....”<br /><br />In recent years, the House has been the more conservative chamber on reform of marijuana laws. Last year, the Senate passed a bill that would have done away with jail time or other criminal sanctions for those who use or possess only small amounts of marijuana. That legislation died in the House....</blockquote>While Maryland continues studying this criminal justice reform issue, the District of Columbia is proceeding with marijuana decriminalization. <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/04/d-c-takes-step-toward-legalizing-pot-for-private-use/">CNN reported on the development this month</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CNN</b></u>: The Washington City Council passed a measure on Tuesday that would move the District of Columbia one step closer to decriminalizing marijuana in most cases. Members approved the bill 11-to-1 in the first of two votes likely this month....<br /><br />Despite the late change, the proposal is expected to receive final passage and become law because it has the support of a majority of and Mayor Vincent Gray.... For the council members who supported the plan, decriminalizing marijuana has become just as much about racial disparities as about sanctioning use of the drug....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: LIST OF MD LAWMAKERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING A $10.10 MINIMUM WAGE // PROPOSAL HAS MAJORITY IN HOUSE AND NEAR-MAJORITY IN SENATE</b></u>&nbsp; - Maryland lawmakers have been holding hearings on proposals to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, indexed to inflation. Though it is currently unclear what the outcome of this debate will be, below Maryland Juice provides a list of the co-sponsors for the $10.10 legislation. Notably, the minimum wage increase appears to have a majority in the House and is one vote shy of a majority in the Senate. The list below includes lawmakers who have publicly endorsed a Raise Maryland minimum wage hike letter, alongside lawmakers who are co-sponsoring the minimum wage bills SB 331 and HB 295:<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>UPDATE</b></u></span>: The list below did not originally include three additional minimum wage supporters, Delegates Jon Cardin, Frank Turner &amp; Joe Vallario. These three Delegates are not listed as co-sponsors of HB295 (the administration's minimum wage bill), but they <u>are</u> co-sponsors of&nbsp; <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/bills/hb/hb0187f.pdf">HB187 (Del. Aisha Braveboy's $10.10 minimum wage bill)</a>. We have added their names below:<br /><br /><u><b>House of Delegates</b></u><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Frank Turner</i></li><li><i>Joe Vallario</i></li><li><i>Jon Cardin</i></li><li>Emmett C. Burns Jr.</li><li>Benjamin F. Kramer</li><li>Tom Hucker</li><li>Benjamin S. 'Ben' Barnes</li><li>Michael L. Vaughn</li><li>Aisha N. Braveboy</li><li>Mary Ann 'MaryAnn' Love</li><li>Keiffer Jackson Mitchell Jr.</li><li>Cheryl D. Glenn</li><li>Brian K. McHale</li><li>John A. 'Johnny O' Olszewski Jr. *</li><li>Charles E. Barkley *</li><li>Adrienne A. Jones</li><li>Shirley Nathan-Pulliam</li><li>Dan K. Morhaim</li><li>Dana M. Stein</li><li>James E. Malone Jr.</li><li>Elizabeth 'Liz' Bobo</li><li>Guy J. Guzzone</li><li>Anne R. Kaiser</li><li>Craig J. Zucker</li><li>Eric G. Luedtke</li><li>Aruna Miller</li><li>David Fraser-Hidalgo</li><li>Kathleen M. Dumais</li><li>Ariana B. Kelly</li><li>C. William 'Bill' Frick</li><li>Susan C. Lee</li><li>Luiz R. S. Simmons</li><li>Alfred Clinton 'Al' Carr Jr.</li><li>Ana Sol Gutierrez</li><li>Jeffrey D. 'Jeff' Waldstreicher</li><li>Bonnie L. Cullison</li><li>Heather R. Mizeur</li><li>Sheila Ellis Hixson</li><li>Barbara A. Frush</li><li>Joseline A. Pena- Melnyk</li><li>Alonzo T. Washington</li><li>Anne Healey</li><li>Tawanna P. Gaines</li><li>Geraldine Valentino- Smith</li><li>James W. Hubbard</li><li>Marvin E. Holmes Jr.</li><li>Carolyn J.B. Howard</li><li>Darren M. Swain</li><li>Kriselda 'Kris' Valderrama</li><li>Veronica L. Turner</li><li>James E. Proctor Jr.</li><li>Peter F. Murphy</li><li>Theodore John 'Ted' Sophocleus</li><li>Rudolph C. Cane</li><li>A. Shane Robinson</li><li>Kirill Reznik</li><li>Barbara A. Robinson</li><li>Frank M. Conaway Jr.</li><li>Shawn Z. Tarrant</li><li>Jill P. Carter</li><li>Nathaniel T. Oaks</li><li>Samuel I. 'Sandy' Rosenberg</li><li>Stephen W. Lafferty</li><li>Curtis Stovall 'Curt' Anderson</li><li>Maggie L. McIntosh</li><li>Mary L. Washington</li><li>Keith E. Haynes</li><li>Melvin L. Stukes</li><li>Nina R. Harper</li><li>Luke H. Clippinger</li><li>Doyle L. Niemann</li><li>Jolene Ivey</li><li>Michael G. Summers</li><li>James W. 'Jim' Gilchrist *</li><li>Kumar P. Barve *</li><li>Jay 'Sky' Walker *</li><li>Talmadge Branch *</li><li>Peter A. Hammen *</li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>* Co-sponsored 2014 Raise Maryland bill but did not sign letter. </b></i><br /><br /><u><b>Senate</b></u></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Brian J. Feldman</li><li>Catherine E. Pugh</li><li>Victor R. Ramirez</li><li>Richard S. Madaleno Jr.</li><li>Roger Manno</li><li>Douglas J.J. Peters</li><li>Ulysses Currie</li><li>Nancy J. King</li><li>Verna L. Jones-Rodwell</li><li>Nathaniel J. McFadden</li><li>Ronald N. Young</li><li>Norman R. Stone Jr.</li><li>Karen S. Montgomery</li><li>Brian E. Frosh</li><li>Jennie M. Forehand</li><li>Jamie Raskin</li><li>Jim Rosapepe</li><li>Paul G. Pinsky</li><li>Joanne C. Benson</li><li>C. Anthony Muse</li><li>Lisa A. Gladden</li><li>Joan Carter Conway</li><li>William C. 'Bill' Ferguson IV </li></ol><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: DEL. SANDY ROSENBERG PROPOSES LAW TO PROTECT ONLINE NEWSMAKERS &amp; THEIR SOURCES</b></u> - Maryland Juice has been operating for the last few years without a budget or staff, but has been able to keep insider information flowing to the public due to a network of anonymous sources. Delegate Sandy Rosenberg is now proposing a law (<a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/bills/hb/hb0385f.pdf">HB385</a>) to protect the confidentiality between newsmakers and their sources. <a href="http://blog.baltimorebrew.com/2014/02/06/brothers-and-sisters-we-testified/">The <i>Baltimore Brew</i> blog recently testified in favor of this effort (which Maryland Juice supports)</a> and wrote about their experience (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE BREW</b></u>: ... Turns out, Maryland’s shield law for reporters does not fully include online journalists. Aiming to correct the problem, Del. Samuel I. “Sandy” (D-Baltimore) introduced HB-385. I agreed to go down, as the editor/publisher of Baltimore Brew, and chime in on its behalf....<br /><br />The current Maryland law defines the news media as “newspapers, magazines, journals, press associations, news services, wire services, radio, television and any printed photographic, mechanical, or electronic means of disseminating news and information to the public....”<br /><br />Rosenberg’s bill would add another category: “An independent contractor or agent of the news media in any news gathering or disseminating capacity, including a self-employed journalist....”<br /><br />“What you may not know,” I told the House Judiciary Committee, “is the degree to which non-print, non-broadcast, web-only publications have become equal members of the national and local press corps....”<br /><br />I talked about the downsizing of mainstream media and how <i>The Brew</i> puts more professional journalistic boots on the ground in Baltimore, participating in news conferences with our peers in print and broadcast, and regularly breaking stories they follow, etc....<br /><br />After our presentation, Del. Luiz R. S. Simmons (D-Montgomery) led the cross examination. While organizations like The Brew might deserve shield protection ... others, Simmons thought, maybe don’t.... “I don’t like to see things so loosey-goosey,” Simmons said. “I’m unsettled by the reach of this bill.” Shield protection is “a privilege,” he observed, “not a right....” Simmons might have a low opinion of bloggers and freelancers but cash-strapped mainstream media organizations are using them more and more....<br /><br />Some in the debate say that shield laws should protect journalism, not journalists. A remark by Rosenberg yesterday suggests he might be one of them. “Wasn’t the First Amendment set up to protect the rights of pamphleteers?”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #9</span>: GLENN GREENWALD (JOURNALIST WHO BROKE NSA SPYING STORY) SPARS WITH REP. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER OVER CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT</b></u> - Maryland Juice just caught an interesting sparring match between Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger and Glenn Greenwald, the former Guardian journalist who broke the story on the NSA's mass surveillance program. Ruppersberger took issue with Greenwald's suggestion that the NSA failed to provide members of Congress with the information necessary to conduct proper oversight of the spying program. Greenwald responded with the following blistering commentary:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d0R_jSP8GLM" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #10</span>: HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY // THE GAZETTE PROFILES FORMER MOCO DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR STAN GILDENHORN</b></u> - To commemorate President's Day today, <a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20140212/NEWS/140219595&amp;template=gazette"><i>The Gazette</i> ran a profile of former MCDCC Chair Stan Gildenhorn</a>, who provided memories of President John F. Kennedy (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>GAZETTE</b></u>: Stanton Gildenhorn remembers the first time he met John F. Kennedy. It was 1958, and Gildenhorn had stopped at Kennedy’s Senate office on Capitol Hill to pick up a gift from his friend Evelyn Lincoln, the Massachusetts senator’s secretary. As Gildenhorn and Lincoln stood in the outer office, the door opened and out walked the future president.<br /><br />Lincoln introduced Gildenhorn, and Kennedy greeted him warmly before apologizing that he didn’t have more time to talk and hurrying off to the next appointment on his schedule. The brief meeting left a mark on Gildenhorn, who would later work inside Kennedy’s White House. As the nation prepares to honor all its presidents Monday, Gildenhorn reflected on his time working with the 35th president.<br /><br />“He was my hero then, and to get to meet him was one of the greatest moments of my life,” said Gildenhorn, 71, a longtime Montgomery County Democratic activist who lives in North Bethesda.<br /><br />After Kennedy beat Richard Nixon in the 1960 election, Gildenhorn went to work for Larry O’Brien, one of Kennedy’s “Irish Mafia,” in a job for the Democratic National Committee.... Kennedy had a certain aura about him, Gildenhorn said. When he walked into a room, all eyes turned to him.<br /><br />In a lifetime spent around politics, he said, he’s never met anyone else with that type of charisma. The president was down-to-earth, with a good sense of humor, Gildenhorn said. He was a voracious reader, devouring reports and memos....</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-governor-poll-results-moco-exec.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-6218518432076536340Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:07:00 +00002014-02-13T00:36:44.621-05:00anthony brownattorney generalcounty executivedistrict 15district 16district 19district 23bdoug ganslerheather mizeurjon cardinmaryland governormceamontgomery countyprince george's countyJUICE: Sparks in Governor's Race, Candidate Updates in D15, D16, D19, D23B & MoCo 3, MoCo Exec Debate WED & More! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: PRINCE GEORGE'S LAWMAKERS ISSUE LETTER CONDEMNING DOUG GANSLER'S REMARKS ABOUT THEIR COUNTY</b></u> - Yesterday a wide range of Prince George's County elected officials signed onto a letter condemning remarks from Attorney General Doug Gansler about their county. Gansler's remarks were covered in <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gansler-opens-office-in-prince-georges-questions-rivals-commitment-to-county/2014/02/08/0f3bab42-911f-11e3-b46a-5a3d0d2130da_story.html">a <i>Washington Post</i> article about his new campaign office</a> in Prince George's (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: In an attempted show of strength on his rival’s home turf, Maryland gubernatorial hopeful Douglas F. Gansler opened a campaign office Saturday in Prince George’s County and argued that his ticket is more committed to the jurisdiction’s vast economic development and educational needs than Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown....<br /><br />Gansler, a former Montgomery County state’s attorney, also unveiled a list Saturday of 34 current and former municipal officials from Prince George’s who are backing his campaign — including eight officeholders whose names had previously appeared on lists of endorsements released by Brown.<br /><br />By Sunday morning, The Washington Post was able to independently verify that two of the eight had switched allegiances from Brown to Gansler. One of the eight, however, said he is still backing Brown, and another name was removed from Gansler’s list after his campaign said that it had appeared by mistake....<br /><br />“He’s not from Prince George’s County. . . . He’s from Long Island,” Gansler said at one point, referring to Brown’s birthplace of Huntington, N.Y....<br /><br />Gansler also said that Prince George’s has not seen the kind of economic development the county deserves. “When people get up in front of you and say, ‘We have one Maryland,’ we do on a map,” Gansler said. “But we have two Marylands: There are those who have it and those who don’t....”</blockquote>Prince George's officials ranging from U.S. House members Donna Edwards and Steny Hoyer to State Senate President Mike Miller released the following letter in response to Gansler's remarks:<br /><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/206441562/Letter-from-Prince-George-s-Lawmakers-to-Doug-Gansler" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Letter from Prince George&amp;#x27;s Lawmakers to Doug Gansler on Scribd">Letter from Prince George's Lawmakers to Doug Gansler</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_58150" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/206441562/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: MIZEUR CALLS ON GANSLER &amp; BROWN TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION&nbsp; //&nbsp; <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: BROWN RESPONDS W/ LETTER</b></u> - Delegate Heather Mizeur took an early stand on marijuana reform by being the only gubernatorial candidate to come out for legalization, while also co-sponsoring legislation to decriminalize pot. This week she followed up on her stance by calling on Doug Gansler and Anthony Brown to testify in support of the decriminalization bill. Both Brown and Gansler recently confirmed support for removing jail time as a penalty for pot possession, and Mizeur asked both candidates to do more in the following press release (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE <br /><br /><b>Mizeur Calls On Brown, Gansler to Testify For Marijuana Decriminalization Bill</b></div><br /><b>SILVER SPRING, Maryland</b>—This morning, Delegate Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery), candidate for governor, invited Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Attorney General Doug Gansler through her legislative office to join her in testifying on behalf of the Maryland Marijuana Decriminalization Act (HB0879). <br /><br />The bill, if passed, would replace criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana with a civil fine of $100. For individuals under 21, criminal penalties would be replaced with drug education classes and would also include parental notification requirements for those under 18. Mizeur introduced the bipartisan bill last week with Delegate Michael Smigiel (R-Cecil County) as the lead Republican co-sponsor. <br /><br />The bill has 40 co-sponsors, including Gansler’s running mate, Delegate Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s), House Majority Leader Kumar Barve (D-Montgomery) and two committee chairs: Delegate Sheila Hixson (D-Montgomery) and Delegate Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore).<br /><br />After hesitating to endorse decriminalization earlier in the campaign, both the Brown and Gansler campaigns have since come out publicly in favor of the reform. Brown expressed his strong support for decriminalization at a Baltimore Sun “Newsmaker Forum” last month. Ivey has made her ticket’s support public over Twitter and at last week’s BEST Democratic Club lieutenant governor candidate roundtable.... </blockquote>Anthony Brown' campaign responded with the following letter to Mizeur:</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>ANTHONY BROWN</b></u>: Dear Delegate Mizeur: Over the past several years, in our state and throughout our country, there has been a serious discussion about marijuana and its impact on our society. Here in Maryland, a number of dedicated public servants, like Senator Zirkin and Delegate Anderson have proposed legislation decriminalizing marijuana. Last year, legislation was sponsored, and passed, by Delegate Clippinger and Senator Raskin which reduces the sentences for those caught with small amounts of marijuana.<br /><br />As they are currently constructed and enforced, our state’s marijuana laws are costly, ineffective, and racially biased. In 2010, African Americans in Maryland were almost 3 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts, and black Marylanders represent almost 58 percent of all marijuana possession arrests, but only 30 percent of the population. This is despite the fact that both groups have nearly identical marijuana usage rates. An arrest for possession has an incredibly negative impact on that person’s life, often creating problems finding employment or even a place to live.<br /><br />Equally distressing is how ineffective and costly our marijuana laws are: just four years ago, our state spent over $55.3 million in enforcement of this law on police costs alone. These are resources that could have been better spent fighting violent crime throughout our state, or on substance abuse treatment that could help end the cycle of use and dependency. I support the decriminalization of marijuana because I believe in strong communities where safety – and not just the appearance of being tough on crime – comes first....</blockquote></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: MOCO EXEC CANDIDATES DEBATE ON TOMORROW (WED) // TEACHERS&nbsp; HOSTING EDUCATION FORUM W/ LEGGETT, DUNCAN &amp; ANDREWS</b></u> - Tomorrow MCEA (the union representing MoCo teachers) is holding a schools debate with Democratic MoCo Exec candidates Ike Leggett, Doug Duncan and Republican candidate Jim Shalleck (<i>details below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>MCEA Montgomery County Executive Forum</b><br />Wednesday February 12, 2014 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm<br />Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD<br /><u>RSVP</u>: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CountyExecForum">https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CountyExecForum</a></blockquote><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/206449990/MCEA-Event-Montgomery-County-Executive-Candidates-Debate" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View MCEA Event: Montgomery County Executive Candidates Debate on Scribd">MCEA Event: Montgomery County Executive Candidates Debate</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_70365" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/206449990/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4:</span> THE MARYLAND POLITICS WATCH BLOG IS BACK</b></u> - Maryland Juice considers our blog a later iteration of the news model developed by the <a href="http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/">Maryland Politics Watch blog</a> (aka MPW). Indeed, MPW ceased operations sometime after the 2010 election cycle, but now the site's owner <a href="http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2014/02/and-were-back.html">David Lublin has relaunched Maryland Politics Watch</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DAVID LUBLIN (VIA MARYLAND POLITICS WATCH)</b></u>: After a long hiatus, I've decided to start blogging again. I'm hoping to move to a new platform and URL so watch this spot to follow Maryland Politics Watch. For now, I'm not going to publish comments because I just don't have the time or desire to moderate them. Enjoy!</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: CANDIDATES ANNOUNCE // THEA WILSON VS. DEL. VALLARIO IN D23B, BENNETT RUSHKOFF VS. DAVID FRASER-HIDALGO IN D15, CHARLOTTE CRUTCHFIELD VS. MARICE MORALES IN D19, TOM MOORE FOR MOCO COUNCIL</b></u> - Maryland Juice has received a number of alerts from candidates announcing for various positions. Below you can see a quick round-up of the events.<br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 23B</b></u>: This Sunday, <a href="http://votetheawilson.com/index.html">Thea Wilson is announcing a campaign for District 23B Delegate</a>. Notably, D23B is a new legislative district that has been re-drawn in a way that may make incumbent Delegate Joe Vallario vulnerable in his re-election bid:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjG2px35cGM/UvpeUxjAa4I/AAAAAAAAHQE/2qvFDU9QALI/s1600/thea-wilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjG2px35cGM/UvpeUxjAa4I/AAAAAAAAHQE/2qvFDU9QALI/s1600/thea-wilson.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 15</b></u>: Delegate Brian Feldman recently vacated his District 15 seat to be appointed to Rob Garagiola's State Senate seat. In turn, David Fraser-Hidalgo was appointed to Feldman's vacant D15 seat. But now progressive attorney Bennett Rushkoff has announced a campaign for District 15 Delegate, and some interesting officials attended his campaign kickoff this weekend. In the photo and press release excerpt below, Rushkoff announced that his event was attended by D15 Delegates Kathleen Dumais and Aruna Miller (current colleagues of David Fraser-Hidalgo):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_MFT0uz1oU/UvpfYX6T-1I/AAAAAAAAHQM/-1ARQ5Z4CEU/s1600/rushkoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_MFT0uz1oU/UvpfYX6T-1I/AAAAAAAAHQM/-1ARQ5Z4CEU/s1600/rushkoff.jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE <br /><b><br /></b><b>Over 100 People Pack Bennett Rushkoff’s State Delegate Campaign Kickoff</b><br /><i>District 15 Delegates Dumais and Miller Attend</i></div><br /><b>North Potomac, Maryland&nbsp;</b> – Over 100 people, including District 15 Delegates Kathleen Dumais and Aruna Miller, packed into Nantucket’s Reef in North Potomac for Bennett Rushkoff’s State Delegate campaign kickoff on Saturday, February 8.<br /><br />After being introduced by Ron Weich, Dean of the University of Baltimore Law School and a Yale Law School classmate of Rushkoff’s, as well as Antonio Carrillo, a public school science teacher and local community activist, Rushkoff described why he was running for office.&nbsp; He spoke about his many years fighting for justice as a consumer protection attorney and how he plans to pursue justice in the General Assembly, advocating in the areas of education, health care, and the environment on behalf of all Marylanders.&nbsp; Rushkoff said that his commitment to protecting the environment comes from his belief that we “borrow our planet from our children.” <br /><br />Following the kickoff, Rushkoff commented on the packed house at Nantucket’s Reef: “I am inspired by all the people who came out today to hear about our campaign for justice.&nbsp; It is clear that the residents of District 15 want a Delegate who will fight for our shared values.”<br /><br />Rushkoff has assembled a professional campaign team, hiring the consulting firm Feldman Strategies and bringing on former Obama campaign staffer Britney Mumford....</blockquote><br /><u><b>DISTRICT 19</b></u>: This week MCDCC member Charlotte Crutchfield announced a campaign for District 19 Delegate, where incumbent Sam Arora recently announced his retirement. Crutchfield will be joining Marice Morales (an aide to Sen. Roger Manno) in seeking the open seat. Check out this excerpt from Crutchfield's announcement press release below:</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on">PRESS RELEASE</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b>Longtime County Activist Charlotte Crutchfield Announces Candidacy</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i>Bringing Communities Together Through Energy and Experience</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>February 9, 2014 (Silver Spring, MD)</b>—Longtime Montgomery County activist Charlotte Crutchfield formally announced today that she has filed as a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 19. She will be running in the Democratic primary on June 24, 2014.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />“After many years working in the community with and for the wonderful people of District 19, I am ready to serve as an effective advocate in the General Assembly,” Crutchfield said.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Seeking to fill the vacant seat with Delegate Arora’s retirement, Ms. Crutchfield’s election will be historic, as she will be the first African American woman from Montgomery County to be elected to the State legislature. </div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Ms. Crutchfield's focus is Community First. Her top three campaign issues will be education, the economy, and equality. “A community is strongest when its citizens are well-educated, economically prosperous, and are treated equally. A livable minimum wage benefits workers, unions and businesses alike, and bolsters the economy. And, when every member of the community knows that their life, lifestyle and life-choices are valued regardless of sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or identity we, indeed, become a community," she said.</div></blockquote><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote>Charlotte Crutchfield was elected to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) in 2010, serving as Liaison for District 19, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Voter Protection Committee, Ballot Question Review Committee and Strategic Planning Committee....</blockquote><br /><u><b>MOCO COUNCIL 3</b></u>: Rockville City Councilmember Tom Moore announced a February 17th kickoff for his campaign for County Council District 3. The incumbent Phil Andrews is running for County Executive, and so far Gaithersburg Mayor Sid Katz, Gaithersburg Councilmember Ryan Spiegel, and activist Guled Kassim have announced in the race. Moore's announcement is below:</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote class="tr_bq">Greetings, Juice!<br /><br />Please join Tom Moore, his wife Amy, his kids, and many of Tom's friends and supporters next Monday as we kick off his campaign for County Council with good cheer and good food.<br /><br />Come hear why Tom is running, and how he will represent Rockville and Gaithersburg on the County Council!<br /><br />We have four short months until the June 24 Democratic primary, and Tom's in a red-hot race. Let's get this campaign off to a roaring start!<br /><br />When: Monday, Feb. 17, from 3-5 p.m. (Presidents' Day!)<br />Where: American Tap Room in Rockville Town Square&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Please feel free to bring as many people as you like. Kids are more than welcome to attend.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Click here to RSVP: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YrGoQUTRRfZ529Z9q6owR5ePPBhYayZ2QzA-xHgGBfc/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YrGoQUTRRfZ529Z9q6owR5ePPBhYayZ2QzA-xHgGBfc/viewform </a></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">See you there!<br /><br />Max van Balgooy<br />Campaign Chair, Friends of Tom Moore</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: KYLE LIERMAN WEIGHING RUN FOR D16 SENATE OR DELEGATE AS FIELD THINS // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: MOCO BOE MEMBER SMONDROWSKI FOR D17 SENATE?</b></u> - <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/January-February-2014/Montgomery-District-16-Race/"><i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> Lou Peck highlighted some possible last-minute candidate filings</a> as we head closer to the February 25th deadline for candidates to put their names on the June Primary Election ballot. The race for two open Delegate seats in District 16 may lose some candidates and gain others, while candidates are still eyeing the open Senate seat primaries in Districts 16 and 17 (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: Local real estate agent Ted Duncan, who had formed a campaign committee and was ready to run as recently as mid-January, has pulled out of the contest.... Veteran political operative Kevin Walling, who announced his candidacy last summer, appears ready to drop out and instead run for a seat on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.... White House aide Kyle Lierman, who finished second in an 11-person race for an open seat in 2010, is said by sources to be continuing to consider another run for delegate or a run against Delegate Susan Lee for the seat being vacated by Sen. Brian Frosh. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Rebecca Smondrowski confirmed she is still mulling a run to succeed state Sen. Jennie Forehand, who is retiring after 20 years in the seat.... Smondrowski, a former General Assembly aide who was elected to the school board in 2012, acknowledged that “I’ll likely be staying where I am,” But she added of a possible Senate run: “I’m very torn. I really love what I’m doing, [but] I’m feeling like this might be once in a lifetime opportunity…My guess is that I’ll be considering it until pretty much close to the deadline....”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: MOCO POISED TO APPROVE PUBLIC FINANCING FOR COUNTY ELECTIONS // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: CONGRESSMAN SARBANES &amp; NANCY PELOSI INTRODUCE CLEAN ELECTIONS BILLS FOR FEDS</b></u> - All members of the Montgomery County Council have signed on to legislation sponsored by Councilmember Phil Andrews to take advantage of new state law allowing municipalities to enact public financing systems for local elections. Indeed, MoCo Councilmembers seek to make the county the first in Maryland to create a "clean elections" fund and reduce the impact of special interests in elections. This effort seems likely to pass.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Congressman Jon Sarbanes is sponsoring legislation to create a similar program at the federal level. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/nancy-pelosi-and-john-sarbanes-reversing-the-grievous-error-of-citizens-united/2014/02/04/0f197d0a-8dba-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_story.html">Sarbanes co-signed an op-ed with U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi about their new legislation</a>, and Governor O'Malley and former MoCo Councilmember Valerie Ervin (now with the Center for Working Families) issued a press release about the effort. You can see excerpts from both items below:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>NANCY PELOSI &amp; JOHN SARBANES (VIA WASHINGTON POST)</b></u>: Americans have seen it on their televisions and heard it on their radios: political ads backed by unnamed sources; the work of so-called advocacy groups backed by undisclosed donors; damaging policy agendas orchestrated by special interests; endless money muddying the waters of our debate with confusion and voter suppression.... Indeed, Citizens United shook the foundation of our democracy: the principle that, in the United States of America, it is the voices of the people, not the bank accounts of the privileged few, that determine the outcome of our elections and the policies of our government....<br /><br />Those of us inside and outside the Capitol who support this kind of major change are rallying around H.R. 20, the Government by the People Act, which is to be introduced Wednesday. This sensible, straightforward legislation would:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Encourage the participation of everyday Americans in the funding of campaigns by providing a refundable $25 My Voice Tax Credit. This would bring the voices of the broader public into the funding side of campaigns and democratize the relationship between money and speech. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Establish a Freedom From Influence Matching Fund to boost the power of small-dollar contributions. To be eligible for these matching funds, a candidate would have to agree to a limit on large donations and demonstrate broad-based support from a network of small-dollar contributors. Amplified by the Freedom From Influence Matching Fund, the voices of everyday Americans would be as powerful as those of big donors. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Provide candidates with an opportunity to earn additional resources in the homestretch of a campaign so that the voices of the people are not completely drowned out by super political action committees and other dark-money interests. In the wake of Citizens United, this kind of support is critical to ensuring that citizen-backed candidates have staying power.</li></ul></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the press release from the Center for Working Families about the new Pelosi-Sarbanes public financing bill:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE<br /><br /><b>Gov. O'Malley, Valerie Ervin Laud New Sarbanes Bill to Take on Money in Politics</b></div></blockquote></div><blockquote>Today, Gov. Martin O'Malley and Center Working Families Executive Director Valerie Ervin lauded a new bill meant to take on the role of big money in politics and raise the voices of everyday people in the political process<br /><br />H.R. 20, The Government by the People Act, was introduced today by Rep. John Sarbanes, and has more than 100 original co-sponsors.<br /><br />"We need more action and smarter solutions to improve our nation's campaign finance system and I commend Congressmen John Sarbanes and Chris Van Hollen for their leadership on this important issue," said Governor Martin O’Malley. "Elections are the foundation of a successful democracy and these ideas will put us one step closer toward a better, more representative system that reflects the American values we share.”<br /><br />"The Citizens United decision has given wealthy interests a megaphone so big it drowns out the rest of our voices," said Valerie Ervin, Executive Director of the Center for Working Families. "I am proud to stand in support of more than 100 members of Congress today who want to put the voters back in charge. Democracy shouldn't be for sale at any price."<br /><br />The Government by the People Act would change the way our elections are financed through a combination of small donors, matching funds, and a “My Voice” tax credit.&nbsp; Instead of relying on Wall Street executives or lobbyists, participating candidates would rely on the ones the founding fathers intended them to represent: we the people.<br /><br />How the bill works:<br /><br />People would be encouraged to give small contributions through two parts of the proposal: first, contributions of $1 to $150 would be amplified on a six-to-one basis by a newly-created “Freedom from Influence Fund.” Large contributions would not qualify.<br />The first $25 contributed by individuals would qualify for a “My Voice” refundable tax credit.<br />Each candidate’s money from the new fund -- which would be financed by closing corporate tax loopholes -- would be capped, and there would be strict enforcement of campaign finance laws, including disclosure of all donations.<br /><br />Learn more about the Government by the People Act at: <a href="http://www.ofby.us/">www.ofby.us</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">### </div></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: STATE SENATOR LISA GLADDEN WITHDRAWS BILL TO TACKLE DEL. JON CARDIN'S HELICOPTER STUNT</b></u> - <a href="http://thedailyrecord.com/2014/02/04/gladden-pulls-bill-motivated-by-cardin-marriage-proposal/"><i>The Daily Record</i> recently reported that State Senator Lisa Gladden withdrew a bill</a> designed to combat misuse of police equipment. The bill was apparently aimed at a scandal involving Delegate Jon Cardin, who is locked in a battle for Attorney General against Gladden's Senate colleague Brian Frosh (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DAILY RECORD</b></u>: A bill that would have established reimbursement requirements and perhaps set other penalties for elected officials who misuse police equipment has been pulled by the sponsor because of election year concerns. Sen. Lisa A. Gladden, D-Baltimore, introduced the bill last week but quickly pulled it at the request of her committee chairman, Sen. Brian E. Frosh, D-Montgomery.<br /><br />“It will not be considered for this year because of the election,” said Gladden, who is vice chairwoman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. “It will be back next year because I like the bill and I think it’s a good idea....” The bill imposes a $15,000 fine for an elected official found guilty of misusing police resources and requires the official to reimburse the agency for the use of the equipment and officers.... When asked if the bill was specifically related to the Baltimore County Democrat, Gladden responded: “Of course we’re talking about Jon Cardin.”</blockquote><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/19/jon-cardin-maryland-deleg_n_262904.html">The <i>Associated Press</i> reported on the context for the bill</a> in 2009 (<i>excerpt below</i>): <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>ASSOCIATED PRESS (VIA HUFFINGTON POST)</b></u>: A Maryland lawmaker has apologized for using a police boat and helicopter to create a diversion so he could surprise his girlfriend with a marriage proposal.<br /><br />Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld told reporters Tuesday that Delegate Jon Cardin also offered to pay expenses from the incident. The department is investigating. Officials don't know yet how much Cardin's proposal cost the department....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #9</span>: TWO-TIME DUI CONVICT DEL. DON DWYER INTRODUCES BILLS REQUIRING JAIL &amp; SUSPENSION FOR LAWMAKERS JAILED FOR DUI</b></u> - If you haven't already heard, Delegate Don Dwyer was back in the news again. The Tea Party lawmaker has been in and out of the news in recent cycles, due to back-to-back drunk driving incidents. The first incident was a drunken boat crash that injured several children, while the second was a DUI conviction for dangerous driving. But now Dwyer has introduced two bills to create mandatory expulsion and jail-time for lawmakers involved in DUI's:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/bills/hb/hb0733f.pdf"><u><b>BILL #1 - HB733</b></u></a>: For the purpose of requiring that certain State officials who are convicted of certain alcohol–related driving offenses be subject to a certain mandatory minimum sentence; defining a certain term; and generally relating to a mandatory minimum sentence for a State official who is convicted of certain alcohol–related driving offenses. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/bills/hb/hb0734f.pdf"><u><b>BILL #2 - HB734</b></u></a>:&nbsp; For the purpose of requiring that a member of the General Assembly who is found guilty of any crime for which the member is sentenced to serve a period of incarceration in any penal institution during the member’s term of office be suspended and, under certain circumstances, removed from office by operation of law; requiring that a member of the General Assembly who enters a certain plea relating to any crime for which the member is sentenced to serve a period of incarceration in any penal institution during the member’s term of office be removed from office by operation of law; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the State for their adoption or rejection.&nbsp;</li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #10</span>: ANTHONY BROWN SLAMS DOUG GANSLER CORPORATE TAX CUT PROPOSAL</b></u> - Attorney General Doug Gansler has voiced support for linking a corporate tax cut to a minimum wage increase in Maryland. Last week Lt. Governor Anthony Brown issued a press release calling Gansler's stance a Republican position (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Doug Gansler’s $1.6 billion corporate tax giveaway to be debated in Senate at 1 p.m. in Annapolis today</b></div><br />Will Gansler join with Republicans by testifying and explaining which programs he'll slash or schools he'll close to pay for this reckless corporate tax handout?<br /><br /><b>UPPER MARLBORO, MD</b> – Throughout his campaign for governor, Doug Gansler has frequently and enthusiastically embraced the Republican proposal to slash Maryland’s corporate tax rate from 8.25% to 6%. Just like Annapolis Republicans, Gansler has yet to explain how he’ll pay for this corporate giveaway, which would cost Marylanders more than $1.6 billion in revenue over the next five years. The Washington Post even called Gansler’s unfunded giveaway part of a “package of panders” to Maryland voters.<br /><br />Today at 1 p.m. in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Republicans will push for passage of Doug Gansler’s $1.6 million corporate tax handout – the only question is, will Doug Gansler finally stand with them and explain how he’ll pay for it? </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">“Doug Gansler has been in lockstep with Republicans who want a $1.6 billion corporate tax handout that would defund our schools and put the brakes on several job-creating infrastructure projects,” said Brown-Ulman campaign manager Justin Schall. “If Gansler wants to recklessly create a $1.6 billion hole in revenues, he should come clean and explain which programs he’ll slash or which schools he’ll close to balance the budget. Marylanders deserve to hear Doug Gansler and the Republicans explain why a corporate tax giveaway is a better idea than investing in our schools.”</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-sparks-in-governors-race.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-8145514222941547172Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:11:00 +00002014-02-04T23:07:23.397-05:002014 primaryaffordable housingalex mooneydana beyerdoug duncandoug ganslerfop lodge 35gmoike leggettjamie raskinjohn delaneymaryland governorOBAMACARErich madalenoschool fundingJUICE: Updates on Delaney for Governor, Mooney for Congress, Dana Beyer vs. Sen. Madaleno, MoCo's Exec Race & Much More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news items of interest to politicos: <br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: MORE SPECULATION THAT REP. JOHN DELANEY MAY RUN FOR GOVERNOR</b></u> - In comments to the media, Congressman John Delaney has been suggesting he "expects" to remain in the U.S. House next year (<i>see an example in the YouTube video below</i>):<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Tcu8-9rF3Dc" width="560"></iframe></center><br />Nevertheless, Maryland Juice is convinced that Delaney entering the contested race for Governor is a very real possibility. Here's one piece of evidence: last week gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler came out with the following position regarding Maryland's bungled Obamacare enrollment system (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DOUG GANSLER</b></u>: Last week, Jolene and I called on the state of Maryland to allow Maryland consumers to use the federal exchange website to purchase Maryland health insurance plans....<br /><br />The Affordable Care Act was a great accomplishment, and Maryland should have led the way in implementing President Obama’s legacy legislation. But in the nearly four months since the website launched, most Marylanders still are unable to use it to buy insurance....</blockquote>But in response to Gansler's position, Delaney saw fit to issue the following press response:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE<br /><br /><b>Delaney Statement on Gansler call for healthcare.gov option</b></div><br /><b>WASHINGTON </b>– Today, Attorney General Doug Gansler called for allowing Marylanders the option to purchase health insurance using the Federal health exchange website in addition to the Maryland Health Exchange website.<br /><br />Congressman Delaney releases the following statement:<br /><br />"<span style="background-color: yellow;">I compliment Attorney General Gansler for suggesting a sensible solution on the Maryland Exchange which is the same solution we have been proposing for months</span>"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">##</div></blockquote><i><b>I don't know about you, but this sounds to me like the type of short press response a rival candidate would send out!</b></i><br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: FORMER MD GOP CHAIR ALEX MOONEY LEADS MONEY RACE FOR WEST VIRGINIA CONGRESSIONAL SEAT</b></u> - Maryland's former Republican Party Chair Alex Mooney moved to West Virginia last year to run for an open Congressional seat. Today the <a href="http://wvmetronews.com/2014/02/04/4th-quarter-political-fundraising-numbers/"><i>West Virginia Metro News</i> reports that Mooney is leading the money race</a> in his field (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WV METRO NEWS</b></u>: Money, in and of itself, does not win elections. But then again, it’s awfully hard to win without it.&nbsp; With that in mind, here are the latest campaign finance numbers for key candidates in the critical federal races in West Virginia for 2014....<br /><br />The Republican field in the 2nd District continues to grow.&nbsp; There are now seven candidates in the race: <span style="background-color: yellow;">Alex Mooney, who was active in Maryland politics before moving to West Virginia a few years ago, has the most money of any GOP candidate in the race: $301,000</span>.&nbsp; Charlotte Lane has $255,000 in the bank after raising $215,000 in the 4th quarter.&nbsp; Berkeley Springs pharmacist Ken Reed has $226,000 in his treasury, nearly all coming from a personal loan to his campaign.&nbsp; Ron Walters, Jr., has $63,000 on hand....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: UPDATE ON RACE BETWEEN STATE SENATOR RICH MADALENO AND DANA BEYER</b></u> - Two-time Delegate candidate Dana Beyer recently announced a Democratic Primary challenge to D18 State Senator Rich Madaleno. We have a few small updates to the race, starting with an endorsement for Madaleno from his colleague Sen. Jamie Raskin:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>JAMIE RASKIN</b></u>: Senator Madaleno is Montgomery County’s budgetary wizard who translates the progressive priorities of our delegation every day into the dollars and cents of the state budget.&nbsp;&nbsp; I celebrate his service and treasure his remarkable contributions to our community.&nbsp; I support his re-election.</blockquote><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/transgender-former-montgomery-county-aide-will-run-against-gay-senator/2014/01/30/cc1c1556-89d3-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Frederick Kunkle also provided commentary from Sen. Madaleno</a> about the primary challenge (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: ... Madaleno (D-Montgomery) shrugged off the challenge. “I’m proud of my rather lengthy list of accomplishments,” he said Thursday. Madaleno, who joined the state Senate in 2007, said that as a member of the Budget and Taxation committee and the chairman of its Education, Business and Administration subcommittee, he has played an important role in shaping legislative initiatives as varied as the Dream Act, marriage equality, and generous funding for public education.<br /><br />“I think the last four years in particular have been the most progressive in Maryland history,” Madaleno said. He also boasted of having received the support of all the other senators in the county’s delegation.<br /><br />Asked about the significance of the matchup between a transgender and openly gay candidate, Madaleno said, “I think it says that people who, in years past, would never have thought of running for office, now find the doors wide open. There’s tremendously more acceptance. It’s been a remarkable transformation in 12 years.” Madaleno said there are now eight openly gay members in the Maryland General Assembly, a number that he said he believes is more than any other in the country....</blockquote>Judging by the early commentary from some media figures, the D18 Senate race may be one of the more colorful contests in MoCo. Here are some <a href="https://twitter.com/ToddEberly/status/429019585665191936">examples from Twitter</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vff-ZyYhfX0/UvD3zr7pt8I/AAAAAAAAHPU/KB7WiiCsIBA/s1600/madaleno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vff-ZyYhfX0/UvD3zr7pt8I/AAAAAAAAHPU/KB7WiiCsIBA/s1600/madaleno.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE ENDORSE DOUG DUNCAN FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE</b></u> - Former MoCo Exec <a href="http://dougduncan.com/?p=3021">Doug Duncan recently received the endorsement of the County police union</a> in his race for County Executive (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>TORRIE COOKE, MOCO FOP</b></u>: As President of Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35, I am pleased to announce that we are endorsing Doug Duncan for Montgomery County Executive.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Having been a police officer for 20 years now, and having worked with different administrations and politicians, I know that Doug is equipped to provide Montgomery County with whatever it needs to get us back on track. When looking at all of the positive traits of the county executive candidates, Doug displays the traits of a leader we can trust and who will stand by his word.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">We took a hard look at all the candidates, and decided that Doug’s commitment to the safety of Montgomery County and his passionate service to make a better tomorrow tipped the scales in his favor to earn our endorsement....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: MOCO, PRINCE GEORGE'S &amp; BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVES CALL ON GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES TO ENDORSE SCHOOL FUNDING PUSH</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following letter from MoCo Exec Ike Leggett, Prince George's Exec Rushern Baker, and Baltimore County Exec Kevin Kamenetz urging the Democratic gubernatorial candidates to get behind their efforts to secure school construction funds for the "Big 3" jurisdictions. Identical version of the letter below were sent to Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Attorney General Doug Gansler, and Delegate Heather Mizeur:<br /><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/203532643/Leggett-Kamenetz-Baker-School-Funding-Letter-to-Gubernatorial-Candidates" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Leggett, Kamenetz, Baker School Funding Letter to Gubernatorial Candidates on Scribd">Leggett, Kamenetz, Baker School Funding Letter to Gubernatorial Candidates</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_46612" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/203532643/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b>DOUG GANSLER RESPONDS</b></u>: Gansler's campaign issued the following statement in response to the request from the three County Executives (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE <br /><br /><b>Gansler Supports County Executives' Effort to Seek Additional School Construction Funding</b><br /><br /><i>Sends Letter to County Executives Supporting Legislative Effort</i></div><br /><b>Silver Spring, MARYLAND</b> – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Douglas Gansler today sent a letter&nbsp; “strongly supporting” the efforts of Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III,&nbsp; Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett to secure more funding for school construction.<br /><br />Gansler also issued the following statement:<br /><br />“Portable classrooms, leaky roofs, and inadequate bathrooms, most of them found at schools in communities with the greatest need, are not the hallmarks of the best education system in the nation. They are symbolic of an education system that serves some and not others. I strongly support the County Executives’ efforts to seek additional education funds for school construction. <span style="background-color: yellow;">With the endless stream of gambling revenue that the administration promised will fund our schools, we should fully expect Lt. Governor Brown to submit this as one of the signature pieces of legislation for the administration this session</span>....”</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: LT. GOVERNOR CANDIDATES DEBATE IN BALTIMORE THIS FRIDAY</b></u> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/524235814340627/">Baltimore's B.E.S.T. Democratic Club is hosting a candidates debate with the three Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor</a>. The event is taking place this Friday:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">B.E.S.T. Democratic Club is hosting a round table where we can meet and hear from the Democratic Lt. Governor candidates.<br /><br />The running mates are Rev. Delman Coates, the senior pastor of a Baptist church in Clinton, Md., Delegate Jolene Ivey from Prince George’s County, and Ken Ulman, the County Executive from Howard County.<br /><br />To find out more information about each candidate and to ask your own questions join us on: <br /><br /><u>Date</u>: Friday, February 7, 2014<br /><u>Location</u>: 139 N. Belnord, Baltimore, MD 21224<br /><u>Time</u>: 6:30 p.m.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: LT. GOVERNOR ANTHONY BROWN'S FATHER PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following press release from Lt. Governor Anthony Brown's campaign reporting that the candidate's father passed away last week (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>STATEMENT FROM LT. GOVERNOR BROWN ON THE PASSING OF HIS FATHER, DR. ROY H. BROWN</b></div><br /><b>Huntington, N.Y. (January 30, 2014)</b> - Today, it is with great sadness that we announce the news of the passing of Dr. Roy H. Brown at the age of 89. Lt. Governor Brown’s father, Dr. Roy Brown, was moved from the hospital to hospice late last week, and the Lt. Governor has taken the past few days to be with his family. Over the last four months, Dr. Brown has courageously battled cancer. This morning, he passed at home surrounded by his loving wife Lilly, his children and his family.<br /><br />Below is the statement from Lt. Governor Brown on the passing of his father:<br /><br />"My father was a man who led by example. He rose out of poverty in Kingston, Jamaica and overcame incredible odds to become a doctor. As a loving husband and father, he worked tirelessly to provide every opportunity for his children. As a family physician, he donated his services to countless people in need of care. He always put others first. That is the essence of who my father was and how he lived his life...."</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: LIBERAL GROUPS CREATE WISH-LIST OF POLICIES FOR OBAMA, INCLUDING COMMENTARY FROM VALERIE ERVIN</b></u> - Maryland Juice caught <a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/01/28/send_arne_duncan_to_mars_a_state_of_the_union_wish_list_for_liberals/">an interesting piece on Salon.com last week</a>, with the following headline and explanation: <i>"Send Arne Duncan to Mars!: A State of the Union wish list for liberals. We asked left-of-center groups what they hope to hear in the president's speech tonight. Here are the best replies."</i> Notably, the round-up of commentary included remarks from former MoCo Councilmember Valerie Ervin. I flagged a few additional reform suggestions below:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>SALON.COM</b></u>: "In the State of the Union President Obama should take a stand against the lockup quota that requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to imprison at minimum 34,000 immigrants at any given time." <i>- Silky Shah, interim executive director, Detention Watch Network</i><br /><br />"… the Citizens United decision has given wealthy interests a megaphone so big it drowns out the rest of our voices. President Obama should put the voters back in charge by announcing a plan for public financing of federal elections, to allow every voice to be heard.”<i> – Valerie Ervin, executive director, Center for Working Families </i><br /><br />“I hope that he vows to work with Congress to change the law with regard to the NSA bulk collection, and makes a spirited defense of civil liberties even as he attempts to keep our nation safe....&nbsp; It would be important for his legacy for him to distinguish himself from the Big Brother policies of the Bush administration and to rein in the surveillance state.” – <i>Laura Murphy, director, ACLU Washington Legislative Office</i><br /><br />"The key thing that the president needs to do is articulate a vision of a future in which America is no longer ‘exceptional’ in its rates of incarceration but merely average …&nbsp; As for drug policy specifically, the most important thing he could do would be to question the need to take away anyone’s freedom simply for possessing or using a drug." – <i>Ethan Nadelmann, executive director, Drug Policy Alliance</i><br /><br />"President Obama should start by apologizing for the recent comments of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that parents who oppose the harsh overtesting regime that has afflicted our schools are just upset that their children aren’t smart enough.... He will announce the resumption of manned space flight, starting with a trip to Mars by Arne Duncan and Bill Gates, where they will try out their education experiments on any inhabitants they find there...." —&nbsp;<i> Leonie Haimson, executive director, Class Size Matters </i></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #9</span>: MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE &amp; COUNCIL CANDIDATES TO SPEAK AT FORUM ON RENTERS ISSUES</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following event announcement from the MoCo Renters Alliance noting that all three County Exec candidates (Phil Andrews, Doug Duncan &amp; Ike Leggett) will be speaking at a March 5th renters policy forum:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>RENTERS ALLIANCE</b></u>: In a sign of the growing influence of organized renters raising the volume of their voices on renter issues, all of the candidates have confirmed their participation at our next candidates forum. Join us Wednesday, March 5th at the Silver Spring Civic Center for the first-ever county candidates forum focused on rental housing issues. County Executive candidates Isiah Leggett, Doug Duncan, Phil Andrews and Jim Shallek have all confirmed as has each of the County Council candidates--incumbents and challengers. Seating is limited. Join us and sign up for this exciting and historic event and lend your voice to our movement to establish renters' rights and security in our communities....</blockquote><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/montgomery-county-candidates-forum-tickets-9988444707">Here are some details on the event</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Silver Spring Civic Center<br />1 Veterans Place <br />Silver Spring, MD 20910<br />Wednesday, March 5, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #10</span>: US SENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI IN MOCO SAT 2/15 FOR DISCUSSION OF GMO'S &amp; FOOD POLICY</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following event announcement from the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-Op. U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski is expected to be in MoCo to talk about food policy and "genetically modified organisms" (aka GMO's). Indeed, GMO's are becoming an increasingly heated policy topic, as big corporations like Monsanto continue to try and sell expensive GMO seeds to farmers around the world and claim "patents" to own our global food supply:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>Co-op’s Annual Food and Public Policy Series</b></u>:<br />Historic Takoma Building 7328 Carroll Ave. Takoma Park MD 20912. <br /><br /><b>Saturday, Feb 15, 1-4 pm</b><br />GMOs, AND HOW LEGISLATION MIGHT IMPACT MARYLAND CONSUMERS </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u>Invited Guest</u>: Barbara Mikulski</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/02/juice-updates-on-delaney-for-governor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-5713156152847102451Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:44:00 +00002014-01-30T17:04:56.353-05:002014 primarycherri bransondana beyerdistrict 18domestic violenceequality marylandjohn delaneyluiz simmonsmaryland governorpatchpurple linerich madalenotransgender rightsvalerie ervinJUICE: Beyer vs. Sen. Madaleno, Delaney for Gov, Attack on Purple Line, Patch.com Folding, Domestic Violence in 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news items of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: DANA BEYER ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN AGAINST D18 STATE SENATOR RICH MADALENO</b></u> - This morning two-time D18 Delegate candidate Dana Beyer announced a campaign for State Senate through <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-beyer/my-declaration-of-candida_b_4688998.html">a column on <i>The Huffington Post</i></a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DANA BEYER (VIA HUFFINGTON&nbsp; POST)</b></u>: Today I am announcing my next campaign for the betterment of my community in Montgomery County.<br /><br />We are ready for progress. For too long, hardworking Marylanders have waited for economic fairness and equal opportunity. We have asked our elected officials to help bring better jobs to our neighborhoods, build stronger schools for our children, fix our roads and infrastructure and make quality health care an affordable reality.<br /><br />We are ready to move forward, and that's why I'm declaring my candidacy for the Maryland Senate.<br /><br />I am a retired surgeon, a mother of two and a progressive activist. I've spent my entire life fighting for social justice and equal opportunity in our community and around the globe. I'm proud of my track record of success on progressive issues, and now I'm seeking the opportunity to serve you in public office....</blockquote><a href="http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/01/30/dana-beyer-challenge-rich-madaleno/"><i>The Washington Blade's</i> Michael Lavers also covered Beyer's announcement</a> and carried interesting commentary from LGBT advocates in Maryland (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON BLADE</b></u>: ... Beyer, 61, announced her campaign slightly more than a week after Madaleno introduced a bill that would ban discrimination against transgender Marylanders.... Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland, which endorsed Madaleno’s re-election campaign late last year, told the Blade the Montgomery County Democrat’s “strong record of accomplishments go beyond the LGBT communities....” Beyer is a former member of the Equality Maryland board of directors.<br /><br />Lisa Polyak, who stepped down as chair of the Equality Maryland board in 2012, also defended Madaleno. “Although Dana has been a tireless advocate for transgender equality locally and nationally, she doesn’t possess the seniority or relationships that can advance priorities of LGBT citizens of Maryland,” Polyak told the Blade.<br /><br />Evans said having another LGBT candidate “challenging our endorsed candidate” will divert the “limited resources that we earmarked to help our friends in other races” who supported Maryland’s same-sex marriage law in 2012. She also described Beyer’s announcement that comes less than a week before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing on the trans rights bill as “ironic.”<br /><br />“Some might say the timing of her announcement only serves to distract and potentially diminish our chances of passing the bill,” said Evans. “Since this is our top legislative priority in 2014 and transgender Marylanders should not have to continue to wait for inclusion in the state anti-discrimination laws, Equality Maryland hopes it does not...." Beyer would become the first trans person elected to the Maryland Legislature if she wins in November.</blockquote>Meanwhile, Sen. Madaleno sent the following email blast today discussing his legislative priorities for the current Annapolis session (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>RICH MADALENO</b></u>: Throughout my legislative career, I have focused on the needs of Maryland’s working families.&nbsp; This year is no different.&nbsp; Below are some of the important initiatives that I am helping to lead in the General Assembly.<br /><br />MINIMUM WAGE ... As a co-sponsor and strong supporter of legislation recently introduced by Governor O’Malley that would increase the state minimum wage to $10.10 for Maryland employees, I am proud to stand with working families for whom this raise is long overdue....<br /><br />EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT ...&nbsp; In his State of the Union address, President Obama additionally announced his support of a key poverty fighting tool that I have been working to expand here in Maryland over the past several years: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)....<br /><br />RETIREMENT SECURITY This year I am working with AARP, SEIU, and small business leaders to advance innovative legislation that would establish a state-based retirement savings plan for workers without access to employer-sponsored plans....<br /><br />PAID SICK LEAVE ... As an extension of my “working families” agenda, this session I am proud to co-sponsor the Maryland Earned Sick and Safe Leave Act, allowing workers in Maryland to earned a limited number of paid sick days....</blockquote><blockquote>HEALTHY MARYLAND INITIATIVE ... Last but not least, this year I am a primary sponsor of important legislation that would raise millions of dollars to expand health care access to low-income families in Maryland by increasing tobacco taxes by $1 per cigarette pack.....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: FREDERICK NEWS-POST WEIGHS IN FAVORABLY ON POTENTIAL GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN BY REP. JOHN DELANEY</b></u> - The editorial board of <a href="http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/governmental_and_political_topics/elections/delaney-for-governor/article_16c9f686-6ef9-5370-bb7c-183f703de22e.html"><i>The Frederick News-Post</i> today issued a piece ruminating on a potential gubernatorial run by Congressman John Delaney</a>. Though the piece isn't quite an endorsement, it seems to come close (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>FREDERICK NEWS-POST</b></u>: ... Delaney, Maryland’s 6th District congressman, was playing his cards close to the vest. While he strongly suggested that he would seek a return to Congress next year, speculation is mounting that he may jump into Maryland’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. The congressman’s refusal to categorically rule out a bid for the Governor’s Mansion adds to the speculation.....<br /><br />If Delaney does decide to join that race, he could be a formidable contender. Each of the three principal candidates — Attorney General Douglas Gansler, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Montgomery County Delegate Heather Mizeur — has some issues that could work in Delaney’s favor....<br /><br />We’re not here to plug Delaney as a candidate or to urge him to enter this race. However, we do believe that he would be a good addition to the lineup and give Maryland Democrats more choice in the June primary. He might also have wider overall appeal than Brown, Gansler or Mizeur due to his entrepreneurial and business experience....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: PATCH.COM LAYS OFF HUNDREDS OF JOURNALISTS&nbsp; //&nbsp; WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR LOCAL POLITICAL COVERAGE?</b></u> - Patch.com has been operating numerous micro-news sites in Maryland, but <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2014/01/29/Patch-com-Lays-Off-Hundreds-of-Journalists-Without-Warning"><i>Breitbart</i> reported yesterday</a> that the publication eliminated hundreds of journalists without warning (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BREITBART</b></u>: Patch.com laid off hundreds of employees Wednesday morning, without apparent warning, meaning that most of the network's local websites will cease to produce news, local or otherwise. The decision was made by Hale Global, the "turnaround" company that bought Patch.com from AOL earlier this month.... It failed to live up to its early commercial promise, however, and its formal end may be near....</blockquote>While I am disappointed to see another local news outlet going under, I have been encouraged to see ramped up activity and coverage from non-traditional media sites like Bethesda Magazine, Bethesda Now, Maryland Reporter, Center Maryland, The Quinton Report, Red Maryland and others. But one problem facing local political and policy coverage is that many of us (including Maryland Juice) do not have adequate revenue streams to do anything but sporadic or volunteer-driven reporting. Meanwhile, mainstream media publications that I read frequently (like <i>The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post </i>and <i>The Capital Gazette</i>) are increasingly adding pay-walls and subscriber-only access for their coverage. <i><b>I'm not sure what this all means for the future of local political news....</b></i><br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: CHERRI BRANSON APPOINTED TO VALERIE ERVIN'S MOCO COUNCIL SEAT // PLUS: BOE MEMBER CHRIS BARCLAY &amp; OTHERS GEARING UP FOR PRIMARY</b></u> - As we predicted, MoCo attorney Cherri Branson was selected to fill Valerie Ervin's vacant seat on the County Council. Maryland Juice received the following press release from the Council announcing the decision (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Montgomery County Council Appoints Cherri Branson as New Councilmember for District 5</b> </div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>ROCKVILLE, Md., January 28, 2014</b> — The Montgomery County Council today appointed Cherri Branson by acclamation as the new Councilmember for District 5.&nbsp; Ms. Branson will succeed former Councilmember Valerie Ervin, who resigned from the Council on Jan. 3 to become executive director of the Center for Working Families. Ms. Branson will complete the unexpired term, which ends on December 1, 2014. <br /><br />“Cherri Branson has outstanding civic and professional experience, and the Council looks forward to her service,” said Council President Craig Rice. “We were fortunate to have many excellent applicants, and our decision was a difficult one. We deeply appreciate their willingness to serve the community.” <br /><br />A graduate of Vassar College (B.A.), Indiana University School of Law (J.D.), and Emory University School of Law (LL.M.), Ms. Branson has held key staff positions in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1989. She is now Chief Counsel for Oversight on the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security.&nbsp; She has been president of the African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County. The Council appointed her as a member of the County’s Commission on Redistricting in 2011. She has also served as a member of the Charter Review Commission.<br /><br />“I am honored to be appointed to the Montgomery County Council,” said Ms. Branson. “I am familiar with many of the key issues facing the County and the Council, and I will work quickly to learn more. I pledge to effectively represent the residents of District 5—and all the people of Montgomery County....”<br /><div style="text-align: center;">###</div></blockquote>Given that Cherri Branson has agreed not to run for the District 5 Council seat in the June Democratic Primary, <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/January-February-2014/Race-For-Full-Term-In-Dist-5-Seat/"><i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> Lou Peck provided an update on the status of the looming primary battle </a>(<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: As the County Council Tuesday unanimously appointed congressional aide Cherri Branson as a “caretaker” to serve out the remaining 10 months of the term of former Councilmember Valerie Ervin, the maneuvering to win election to the seat for a full four-year term beginning next December intensified.<br /><br />Christopher Barclay, a member of the county’s Board of Education since 2006, said this week he is running in the June primary for the Democratic nod for the council seat in District 5.... Meanwhile, another well-known officeholder from that area, two-term state Delegate Tom Hucker, is said by sources to be leaning strongly toward giving up his current position to run for the council....<br /><br />But, in advance of the Feb. 25 filing deadline, at least five candidates are expected to seek the “long-term” District 5 seat, with Barclay and Hucker joined by Evan Glass, chairman of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board; Terrill North, vice president of Impact Silver Spring, a group formed to provide support services to the community; and Jeff Thames, who heads an organization that seeks to provide opportunities to former prisoners. Thames formally filed for the seat last week....</blockquote>As the Democratic Primary field develops, Cherri Branson is getting settled into her temporary Council appointment. She sent the following email blast out yesterday (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CHERRI BRANSON</b></u>: I am honored and humbled that the County Council has selected me to serve you as the new District 5 Councilmember.&nbsp; I am committed to delivering the high level of service that the residents of District 5 expect and deserve. I thank the councilmembers for the tremendous confidence that each of them has placed in me.<br /><br />I am familiar with many of the key issues facing the County and the Council, and I will work quickly to learn even more. I pledge to effectively represent the residents of District 5 - and all the people of Montgomery County. <br /><br />I also want to recognize former Councilmember Valerie Ervin for her years of dedicated service to Montgomery County. I plan to continue the work she started on the County Council seven years ago, but I will do it in my own way.<br /><br />There are many exciting issues as we move into 2014 including a full capital improvements budget for the next six years, the fiscal year 2015 operating budget, and the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: TOWN OF CHEVY CHASE HIRES BROTHER OF KEY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN TO FIGHT PURPLE LINE</b></u> - Maryland Juice previously noted that The Town of Chevy Chase was debating whether to spend hundreds of thousands of local tax dollars to fight the Purple Line. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/purple-line-advocates-question-town-of-chevy-chase-hiring-congressmans-brother/2014/01/23/f83d29ce-8382-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Katherine Shaver has a follow-up to the story</a>, noting that the Town has hired the brother of a key Republican Congressman to battle a top transportation priority for Montgomery &amp; Prince George's Counties (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: One of the lawyers hired by the Town of Chevy Chase to evaluate potential legal challenges to the Purple Line light-rail project is the brother of a key congressional committee chairman, leading some transit advocates to question whether the town is trying to buy political influence.<br /><br />Robert L. Shuster, an attorney with the firm Buchanan, Ingersoll &amp; Rooney, is the brother of Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The town hired the law firm in December on a monthly basis, so far paying a total of $40,000 for two months. The town council is scheduled to vote next month on whether to award an 18-month legal contract for $360,000....<br /><br />Ben Ross, a longtime Purple Line advocate and former president of Action Committee For Transit, said “The whole thing stinks....” Tracey Johnston, another Purple Line advocate, said of the Shuster name, “If nothing else, someone answers your phone call. In Washington, that’s your first goal....”<br /><br />The Maryland Transit Administration’s plans to build a 16-mile Purple Line between Montgomery and Prince George’s counties is at a critical point as the state tries to find a way to cover the $2.2-billion construction costs.... Even more important is the state’s bid for $900 million in highly competitive federal construction grants, which state officials have said are necessary to cover about half the costs. Maryland transit planners have said they expect to hear in February whether the Federal Transit Administration will recommend the Purple Line for that money....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES TAKE PROMINENCE IN ANNAPOLIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH ELECTION YEAR OPPORTUNITIES</b></u> - In the current Annapolis legislative session, it is difficult to miss the growing momentum for increased protection for victims of domestic violence.<i> </i><a href="http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/general_assembly/domestic-violence-bills-heard-by-md-lawmakers/article_050413f9-d569-5a30-b74a-11070f0fe64e.html"><i>The Associated Press</i> reported this week</a> on a trio of bills that Governor O'Malley is pushing to address the issue (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>ASSOCIATED PRESS (VIA CAPITAL GAZETTE)</b></u>: ... Brandy King, of Sykesville, told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee that the current law does not enable her to get a final protective order against her ex-husband, who was convicted of second-degree assault in 2004 for physically abusing her.<br /><br />One of the measures before legislators would change the law by adding second-degree assault to the list of crimes for which a person can obtain a final protective order. It also would require that an abuser only be sentenced to at least five years in prison, as opposed to serving at least five years before the victim can obtain a permanent final protective order....<br /><br />Another measure would make it easier for victims to obtain a final peace order or final protective order by reducing the standard of evidence needed to get one.... Maryland is the only state in the nation that uses the higher standard of proof for final protective orders. A third measure would enable courts to impose an additional five years in prison on someone who commits domestic violence in front of a child.</blockquote>As <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marylands-victims-of-domestic-abuse-deserve-greater-protection/2014/01/10/784ec65a-7892-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html"><i>The Washington Post</i> noted in an editorial supporting the bills</a>, the domestic violence efforts are (thankfully) being heavily aided by election-year politics (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Maryland has long had the dubious distinction of being the only state that imposes a rigid burden of proof for victims of domestic abuse to receive a civil protection order. Past efforts to change the outdated law never got very far in a hidebound legislature, and advocates became so discouraged that they didn’t even raise the matter in recent years....<br /><br />Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery), chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and a candidate for attorney general, is sponsoring legislation that would establish a more reasonable burden of proof for victims seeking protection orders.... Mr. Frosh expressed confidence that the reform will pass in the Senate, but the real obstacles lie in the House of Delegates, notably its Judiciary Committee. It killed similar legislation when it was last proposed in 2010. Not even the wrenching testimony of a woman whose three children were drowned after she couldn’t obtain a protective order against her estranged husband could convince the committee of the need for change. The callous, if not hostile, treatment of Amy Castillo brought justifiable criticism to the committee and its chairman, Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George’s), but it remains to be seen whether lawmakers have learned from their mistakes.<br /><br />Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Montgomery), who led the effort to kill the bill four years ago, told us he might be open to the change and has some ideas for “compromise” that he plans to discuss with Mr. Frosh. Perhaps not coincidentally, Mr. Simmons is seeking election to the Senate and is locked in a primary battle with former delegate Cheryl Kagan in which women and domestic violence issues are sure to be a focus....</blockquote><u><b>DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BECOMES HOT ELECTION-YEAR ISSUE</b></u>: Indeed, Delegate Luiz Simmons is now co-sponsoring all three domestic violence bills, alongside House Speaker Mike Busch and Senate President Mike Miller. Additionally, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown (a candidate for Governor) is also getting behind the efforts. Brown issued the following press release this week (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>LT. GOVERNOR BROWN STATEMENT ON ADMINISTRATION’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE</b></div><br /><b>ANNAPOLIS, Md. (January 28, 2014)</b> - Today the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held hearings on three Administration bills (SB333, SB334 and SB337) designed to improve protections for victims of domestic violence. <br /><br />“Over the last seven years, we’ve worked together to reduce domestic assaults by 20%, but it’s not enough until we can say that all Marylanders are safe from domestic violence,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “By working together to pass legislation that makes it easier for victims to obtain final peace and protective orders, we will create a safer environment for all Marylanders. Additionally, by increasing penalties for abusers who commit acts of domestic violence in the presence of kids, we'll send a strong message that the safety of our children is always our top priority."<br /><br />Since 2007, Lt. Governor Brown, who leads the Administration’s efforts to reduce domestic violence, has worked with lawmakers, stakeholders, law enforcement, and domestic violence and sexual assault advocates to enact legislation which contributed to a 20% decrease in domestic violence assaults and a 32% decrease in the number of women and children that have died from domestic violence over the last seven years. The Administration's 2014 domestic violence package builds upon this effort to eliminate domestic violence in our communities....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">###</div></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: ANTHONY BROWN TO MISS TONIGHT'S GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE TO BE WITH AILING FATHER</b></u> - Maryland's Democratic gubernatorial candidates are scheduled to debate tonight at Montgomery County's Leisure World retirement community:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:00 pm</b><br />Leisure World's Ballroom in Clubhouse 1<br />3700 Rossmoor Blvd, Silver Spring, MD</blockquote>The event tonight will proceed with Del. Heather Mizeur and Attorney General Doug Gansler, but unfortunately, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown has been called out of town to be with his ailing father. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-brown-heads-to-ny-to-be-with-ailing-father-20140128,0,7398808.story"><i>The Baltimore Sun</i> reported on the development</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN:</b></u> Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown canceled plans to testify in favor of the O’Malley administration’s domestic violence bills Tuesday in order to be with his ailing father in New York. The lieutenant governor’s office said Dr. Roy Brown, 89, has been moved from a hospital to hospice care.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Brown, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, is expected to remain with him in New York, a spokesman said.... Brown's running mate Howard County Executive Ken Ulman is not likely to stand in as a surrogate at this week's debate at Leisure World in Silver Spring, according to Brown's campaign.</blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/01/juice-beyer-vs-sen-madaleno-delaney-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-7580699325978147085Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:31:00 +00002014-01-29T08:58:09.255-05:002014 primarybill frickcherri bransoncheryl kaganchris van hollencounty counciljohn delaneylcvmaryland governormontgomery countynaralphil andrewspublic financingvacancyvalerie ervinJUICE: Branson for Ervin's Seat, MoCo Public Financing, LCV Endorses, NARAL 4 Kagan, Van Hollen 4 Leggett, Delaney 4 Gov<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news items of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiritofjefferson.com/httpdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/0103-Homeland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://spiritofjefferson.com/httpdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/0103-Homeland.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cherri Branson</i></td></tr></tbody></table><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: CHERRI BRANSON IS THE LIKELY REPLACEMENT FOR VALERIE ERVIN'S MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT</b></u> -&nbsp; Montgomery County Councilmembers are poised to appoint a replacement for Valerie Ervin's vacant District 5 seat. Knowledgeable sources close to the appointment process believe that <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cherri-branson/10/139/3b8">Cherri Branson</a> will soon be selected by the 8 voting Councilmembers (<u>Note</u>: Ervin cannot vote for her replacement). Ms. Branson is an attorney who serves as Chief Counsel for Oversight at the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee. She formerly served as President of the MoCo African American Democratic Club. <br /><br />Sources also tell us that Branson is a consensus candidate who emerged after a stalemate between Andrew Kleine and former Delegate Herman Taylor. Citing an anti-choice voting record in Annapolis, reproductive rights advocates apparently succeeded in pushing back against a potential Taylor appointment.<br /><br /><i><b>The vote for a Council appointee has not yet been taken (so anything can still happen), but our sources sound pretty clear that we've likely got the scoop!</b></i><br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: MORE SPECULATION ABOUT WHETHER REP. JOHN DELANEY WILL RUN FOR GOVERNOR // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: ANALYSES FROM JOURNALISTS &amp; BLOGGERS</b></u> - Maryland Juice recently reported that it appears <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/01/juice-delaney-polling-for-governor-van.html">Congressman John Delaney conducted a poll</a> to gauge his chances in a campaign for Governor. But since then, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/amid-rumors-of-a-gubernatorial-bid-delaney-says-he-expects-to-run-again-for-congress/2014/01/25/54f851b8-861f-11e3-801f-e3ff2ca3fab6_story.html"><i>The Washington Post </i>asked Delaney about the matter</a>, and he (sort-of) dispelled the rumors (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md.) on Saturday addressed rumors that he is considering running for governor of Maryland by issuing a statement that did not categorically rule out the possibility out but said he expects to continue serving in Congress next year.<br /><br />“Many people I trust and respect have asked me to consider running for governor, and of course I always think about where I may best serve,” Delaney said. “But I love my job, and my expectation is that I will continue to serve in Congress and represent my district....”</blockquote>Some journalists think Delaney's response is not a definitive statement that he won't enter the Governor's race. Take, for example, the following <a href="https://twitter.com/MattBushMD/status/427244697376272384">comment from Matt Bush of <i>WAMU</i> on Twitter</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mlZDCPvnCw/UuVSw0qmCMI/AAAAAAAAHNs/Moh2d_0xsI4/s1600/bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mlZDCPvnCw/UuVSw0qmCMI/AAAAAAAAHNs/Moh2d_0xsI4/s1600/bush.jpg" height="272" width="640" /></a></div><br />The <a href="http://frontlinestate.com/?p=2180"><i>Front Line State</i> blog began gaming out how the dominoes may fall</a> if Delaney runs for governor, and they have a bit of wild speculation about the race (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>FRONT LINE STATE</b></u>: Sources are telling Front Line State that a major shakeup in Maryland electoral politics is in the offing. We reported earlier in the week that Representative John Delaney (D) might be jumping into the Governor’s race. Now we are hearing from sources in Annapolis that John Delaney is definitely going after the Democrat nomination for governor and will be announcing the move as early as next week. The new wrinkle to the story is that District 16 Delegate Bill Frick (D) will be running for Congress in MD-6 in place of Delaney....</blockquote>For now, I would take the Front Line State story with a huge pound of salt, because Delaney running for governor is a big "if," and the theorizing about Frick is likely just speculation. In the meantime, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-two-ways-anthony-brown-hopes-to-make-history-in-maryland/2014/01/24/8d573a7a-82ea-11e3-bbe5-6a2a3141e3a9_story.html">Bruce DePuyt of News Channel 8 provided his take on the state of the race</a> in a <i>Washington Post</i> op-ed this weekend (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BRUCE DEPUYT (VIA WASHINGTON POST)</b></u>: To make history, Anthony G. Brown (D) must buck history. Brown’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor of Maryland has significant momentum. He has pulled ahead of his primary rival — Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler — in fundraising. He’s racked up a formidable list of endorsements from big-name politicians and influential organizations. And his political partner for the past eight years, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), has a vested interest in helping the Prince George’s resident prevail in the Democratic primary in June....<br /><br />But a cautionary note is needed: No lieutenant governor has ever managed to grab the top spot in Maryland. It happens in other states, of course, but in Maryland, the office has not served as a steppingstone to the governor’s mansion.<br /><br />Maryland’s primary is still five months off, and a lot will happen. Brown must weather the negative headlines generated by the balky health-insurance exchange Web portal set up in Maryland as part of the Affordable Care Act, which he was assigned to oversee by O’Malley...</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN ENDORSES IKE LEGGETT FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following email blast from the re-election campaign of MoCo Executive Ike Leggett announcing an endorsement from Rep. Chris Van Hollen (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqDuiWUjIps/UuVayfCK60I/AAAAAAAAHN8/dZ0XaSKZomE/s1600/cvh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqDuiWUjIps/UuVayfCK60I/AAAAAAAAHN8/dZ0XaSKZomE/s1600/cvh.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><u><b>CHRIS VAN HOLLEN</b></u>: I proudly endorse Ike Leggett for reelection as Montgomery County Executive. As we move into the future, Montgomery County continues to need a visionary and principled leader who can deliver results. Our County Executive, Ike Leggett, has demonstrated that, time and again, he is that leader.<br /><br />During the recent recession, Ike guided our County with a firm and balanced hand. He showed that he was not afraid to make the hard choices that would lead our County out of the recession, build a stronger economic foundation, maintain the highest financial reserves in our history, and preserve our AAA bond rating. Today, the County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, has strong job growth, remains committed to a top-rated school system, and has embraced a vision for a global economy for the future....<br /><br />Working hand-in-hand with State legislators last year, Ike’s leadership was instrumental in bringing home an unprecedented amount of State funding for County transportation projects. And even during the most challenging fiscal years, Ike was resolute in his commitment to Montgomery County Public Schools, funding nearly 100 percent of its budget requests....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: MOCO COUNCILMEMBER PHIL ANDREWS INTRODUCES PUBLIC FINANCING BILL FOR COUNTY CAMPAIGNS</b></u> - <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/maryland-news/phil-andrews-to-put-forth-bill-setting-up-public-financing-in-montgomery-county-elections/2014/01/26/de4228ba-847e-11e3-8099-9181471f7aaf_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> Bill Turque reported this</a> week that Montgomery County Councilmember Phil Andrews (also a candidate for County Executive) introduced legislation to establish a public financing system for MoCo elections (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: ... Andrews (D-Rockville-Gaithersburg), a candidate in the June Democratic primary for county executive, said he sees public financing as an essential counter­weight to the influence of special-interest money in Montgomery elections, primarily from real estate developers and public employee unions....<br /><br />Andrews’s plan is completely voluntary. Candidates who want to raise money in the traditional manner could do so without penalty. Those opting into the public system would have to raise an initial amount of “seed money” to qualify: $40,000 for a county executive candidate, $20,000 for an at-large council candidate, $10,000 for a district council seat. The maximum individual donation would be $150. No PAC money or corporate donations would be allowed.... Small donations would be matched at a higher rate — as high as a 6-to-1 ratio in some cases — to encourage many modest individual donations.<br /><br />“I think we absolutely need to do this,” said council member Marc Elrich (D-At Large).... Council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) said he wants to know more about the details but believes the county needs to take advantage of the opportunity the General Assembly has provided....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5</span>: DOUG GANSLER ENDORSES MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION // <span style="color: red;">FLOOR VOTE NEEDED</span>: ALL THREE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS SUPPORT ZIRKIN-MIZEUR-SMIGIEL BILL</b></u> - All three Democratic gubernatorial candidates now support reform of Maryland's marijuana laws. Delegate Heather Mizeur favors taxing and regulating pot similar to alcohol, while Lt. Governor Anthony Brown recently endorsed removing the 90-day jail penalty attached to marijuana possession. Over the weekend, <a href="https://twitter.com/joleneivey/status/426519860454375425">Maryland Juice finally pinned down</a> the<a href="https://twitter.com/MarylandJuice/status/426520325078396928"> positions of Attorney General Doug Gansler and his runningmate</a> Del. Jolene Ivey:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ctrfNz1YI/Uua6eiOWhtI/AAAAAAAAHOk/RVjewsIwF5I/s1600/pot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ctrfNz1YI/Uua6eiOWhtI/AAAAAAAAHOk/RVjewsIwF5I/s1600/pot1.jpg" height="640" width="530" /></a></div><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">ACT NOW</span>: URGE YOUR MARYLAND LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT MARIJUANA REFORM</b></u> - Momentum is surging to roll back the expensive and failed War on Drugs in Maryland, and now all of the Democratic candidates for Governor and Attorney General have endorsed either decriminalization or legalization of pot. There are two simple actions you can take right now to help capitalize on this political opportunity:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b><span style="color: red;">1</span>. TELL YOUR DELEGATES TO URGE A FLOOR VOTE FOR MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION</b></u> - State Senator Bobby Zirkin and Delegates Heather Mizeur &amp; Mike Smigiel have introduced a marijuana decriminalization bill this session. The measure passed the State Senate last year, but it is stuck in the House of Delegates. Many politicos believe the bill would pass in the House if it was released for a floor vote. Please contact your members in the Maryland House of Delegates and urge them to call for a floor vote for marijuana decriminalization legislation:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>[ <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hsedist.html">CONTACT YOUR DELEGATES FOR A DECRIM FLOOR VOTE</a> ]&nbsp;</b></div><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">2</span>. URGE STATE LEGISLATORS TO CO-SPONSOR LEGISLATION TO TAX &amp; REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL</b></u> - Removing jail penalties associated with simple marijuana possession (<i>aka decriminalization</i>) is just the first step toward creating public interest drug reform in Maryland. But we should all be aware that this a compromise position on the road to moving Maryland to tax and regulate marijuana like it does with alcohol. The legalization movement is quickly picking up steam in Maryland, as legislation to achieve this has been introduced by State Senator Jamie Raskin and Delegate Curt Anderson. The effort has support from powerful Democratic lawmakers including Senate President Mike Miller, House Ways &amp; Means committee Chair Sheila Hixson, House Environmental Matters committee Chair Maggie McIntosh and more. Please urge your state legislators to co-sponsor the "tax and regulate" legislation:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>[ <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=2087">CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO CO-SPONSOR LEGALIZATION</a> ] </b></div></blockquote><br /><span style="color: red;"><u><b>UPDATE</b></u></span>: Below you can read a letter Delegate Heather Mizeur sent to her colleagues urging them to get behind the effort to remove jail time as a penalty for pot possession this year:<br /><center><div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/202652677/Delegate-Heather-Mizeur-Letter-to-Maryland-Lawmakers-Urging-Support-for-Marijuana-Decriminalization" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Delegate Heather Mizeur Letter to Maryland Lawmakers Urging Support for Marijuana Decriminalization on Scribd">Del. Heather Mizeur Letter to MD Lawmakers Urging Support for Marijuana Decriminalization</a></div><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_81959" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/202652677/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></center><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS MAKES ENDORSEMENTS IN D6, D13, D26, D27C &amp; D46</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following press release from the League of Conservation Voters announcing the following endorsements in open seat and contested races (<i>excerpt below, "bold" emphasis added</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Maryland League of Conservation Voters Announces Key Endorsements for New Green Maryland Senators and Delegates</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Candidates Are the Clear Choice for the Environment</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><b>(Annapolis, MD)</b> Today the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) released its next round of endorsed candidates for General Assembly 2014 state primary elections. The organization said the 3 Senate seats and 2 delegate seats are priority races for the organization and present exciting opportunities to put candidates with much stronger environmental records in all of these seats.<br /><br />“These candidates will increase the conservation majority in the General Assembly,” said Karla Raettig, Executive Director of Maryland LCV. “Marylanders care about our air, land and water and vote for candidates who lead on the environment. These candidates are, without a doubt, the best choice for the environment in the Maryland General Assembly.”<br /><br />Raettig went on to say:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>“<b>Maryland LCV endorses Johnny Olszewski for District 6 Senate.&nbsp;</b> He holds a 88% lifetime score and Senator Stone is retiring with a 66% score.&nbsp; He’s a champion for clean energy and we’re excited to endorse his move to the Senate.”</li><li>“<b>Maryland LCV endorses Guy Guzzone for his bid to the District 13 Senate which is also open.</b>&nbsp; Delegate Guzzone holds a 93% lifetime score while the predecessor, Senator Robey held a 70%.&nbsp; He’s a big champion on environmental budget issues.”</li><li>“<b>Maryland LCV endorses Veronica Turner for her bid against Anthony Muse in District 26.</b>&nbsp; Delegate Turner holds a 92% lifetime score while Senator Muse has a 62% lifetime score.&nbsp; We’re looking forward to helping her move to the Senate chamber.”</li><li>“<b>Maryland LCV endorses Sue Kullen for delegate in district 27C in Calvert County.</b>&nbsp; It’s an open seat and with her previous environmental lifetime score of 88%, we’re elated to endorse her to re-enter the Maryland General Assembly.”</li><li>“<b>Maryland LCV endorses Brooke Lierman for delegate in district 46 in Baltimore City.</b>&nbsp; She will replace retiring Delegate McHale with a lifetime score of 75%.&nbsp; While this will be her first bid to the Maryland General Assembly, she is strongly prioritizing the environment and we’re proud to endorse her.”</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">###</div></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: NARAL ENDORSES CHERYL KAGAN FOR DISTRICT 17 STATE SENATE</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following press release from D17 Senate candidate Cheryl Kagan announcing an endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cheryl Kagan Announces Senate Endorsement by NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland on&nbsp; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>41st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade </b></div><br />Today, former Delegate Cheryl Kagan announced that she has been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland PAC for State Senate, District 17.<br /><br />"On behalf of the members of the NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland PAC, I am pleased to announce our organization's endorsement of your candidacy," said Wendy Royalty, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland PAC Chair. "Your leadership as a member of the House of Delegates and your ongoing commitment to women's reproductive choice and to women's health and safety made this an easy decision for our board."<br /><br />Cheryl has worked on reproductive rights and privacy issues for almost 30 years on the state and federal levels, both as a staffer for NARAL Pro-Choice America and as a leader on reproductive choice while serving in the House of Delegates....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">###</div></blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/01/juice-branson-for-ervins-seat-moco.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-1684372453203166415Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:35:00 +00002014-01-22T20:07:40.185-05:002014 primarycheryl kagandana beyerdoug duncanike leggettjim brochinluiz simmonsmarijuanamartin o'malleymaryland governormillionaires taxminimum wagerich madalenosierra clubJUICE: Dana Beyer vs Sen. Madaleno, MD #1 for Millionaires, Labor vs Brochin, Simmons vs Kagan, Gov & Min Wage Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><u><b>UPDATE:</b></u> <span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-ruppersberger-decides-against-a-run-for-governor-20140122,0,5591056.story">Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger has decided not to run for Governor</a>.</span></span></div><br />Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news items of interest to politicos:<br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #1</span>: DANA BEYER POLLING POTENTIAL RACE AGAINST SEN. RICH MADALENO</b></u> - A Maryland Juice source sent us word of a poll out in the field right now in District 18. Two-time D18 Delegate candidate Dana Beyer now appears to be kicking the tires on a challenge to State Senator Rich Madaleno:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>ANONYMOUS SOURCE</b></u>: Beyer has a baseline poll in the field testing the delegate candidates, a Beyer/Madaleno senate matchup and testing some positive and negative messages as well as lines of attack.</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #2</span>: GOV. O'MALLEY &amp; NUMEROUS LABOR UNIONS BACK CHALLENGER TO STATE SENATOR JIM BROCHIN</b></u> - <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-senators-bid-for-reelection-opposed-by-both-omalley-and-ehrlich/2014/01/21/73947292-82d6-11e3-bbe5-6a2a3141e3a9_story.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> John Wagner reported yesterday</a> that Governor Martin O'Malley is backing a Democratic Primary challenger to State Senator Jim Brochin (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. never agreed on much, but the two adversaries have come to the same conclusion about one thing: Someone other than James Brochin should be elected to the state Senate from District 42.<br /><br />Both O’Malley (D) and Ehrlich (R) have penned fundraising solicitations in recent weeks for candidates challenging Brochin, the independent-minded, three-term Democratic incumbent representing the Baltimore County district. O’Malley is supporting Connie DeJuliis, a former member of the House of Delegates who helped him in his gubernatorial campaigns....<br /><br />“Connie is running to be a strong, Democratic voice for the communities, families, and citizens of the 42nd District in Baltimore County,” O’Malley said in his Jan. 7 fundraising solicitation for DeJuliis. “Her campaign is an important one, and she needs our help....”</blockquote>I looked up the recent campaign finance reports for both Brochin and DeJuliis, and here's where the two candidates currently stand in terms of cash on hand:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>State Senator Jim Brochin (incumbent): <b>$228,744.52</b></li><li>Connie DeJuliis: <b>$41,745.06</b></li></ul><br />Note that Connie DeJuliis' campaign finance report shows donations from a wide range of labor unions and some politicians including: AFSCME Local 770, Baltimore Fire Officers Local 964, Maryland Social Services Employees Local Union 112, Maryland Teamsters PAC, 1199 SEIU - NYS Political Action Fund, CWA Cope - VA, Local 32 BJ NY/NJ American Dream Fund, Teamsters Local Union No. 639, Ironworkers Political Action League PAC, UAW PAC MD State, Friends For John Olszewski Sr and Friends Of Senator Norman Stone.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #3</span>: NEW STUDY REPORTS MARYLAND IS #1 FOR MILLIONAIRES, VIRGINIA IS #7</b></u> - After all the hysteria from Democratic lawmakers about the potential flight of millionaires to Virginia, Maryland Juice was irritated to see a new study last week indicating that Maryland is #1 in the nation for millionaires (per capita). Can we please end the hysteria used to advocate for pro-millionaire policies already? <a href="http://w3.phoenixmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Phoenix-GWM-U.S.-Ranking-States-By-Millioinaires-Per-Capita-2006-13.pdf">Phoenix Marketing International published the following study</a>, which was summarized by <i>Politico's</i> Mike Allen:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>MIKE ALLEN (VIA POLITICO)</b></u>: States with the most and least, per Phoenix Marketing International: 1) Md. 2) N.J. 3) Conn. 4) Hawaii 5) Alaska 6) Mass. 7) Va. 8) N.H. 9) Del. 10) D.C. 11) Calif. 12) N.Y. ... 22) Texas ... 30) Fla. ... 36) Ohio ... 46) Tenn. 47) Ky. 48) W.Va. 49) Idaho 50) Ark. 51) Miss.</blockquote>Here's a screencap from the <a href="http://w3.phoenixmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Phoenix-GWM-U.S.-Ranking-States-By-Millioinaires-Per-Capita-2006-13.pdf">Phoenix Marketing study</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8Zl3oVmXZM/Ut6kxUYfmoI/AAAAAAAAHNE/Q-nicLbr3GQ/s1600/millionaires.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8Zl3oVmXZM/Ut6kxUYfmoI/AAAAAAAAHNE/Q-nicLbr3GQ/s1600/millionaires.jpg" height="640" width="622" /></a></div><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #4</span>: SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES HEATHER MIZEUR FOR GOVERNOR</b></u> - Maryland Juice received the following press release from Heather Mizeur's campaign announcing the endorsement of the Sierra Club in her bid for Governor (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE<br /><br /><b>Mizeur-Coates Campaign Picks Up Sierra Club Endorsement</b></div><br /><b> SILVER SPRING, Maryland</b> – This weekend, Heather Mizeur and Delman Coates, Democratic candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, received the endorsement of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, one of state’s leading environmental groups. They are the first environmental group to endorse in the Democratic gubernatorial election.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />"The next Governor will face tough environmental challenges from eradicating dead zones in the Bay and boosting our alternative energy options to protecting and sustaining our natural resources," said Mizeur. “We’re honored to have the support of Sierra Club—and all their members—in this campaign, and look forward to working with them in victory.”&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />The Sierra Club is the largest grassroots environmental organization in the country. The Maryland Chapter has 12,000 members. Some of the chapter’s priority campaigns are focused on moving the state "Beyond Coal" and "Beyond Natural Gas", and on preserving the natural environment for future generations. <br /><br />"Delegate Mizeur is a true environmental champion who leads the fight to ensure that all Maryland families have access to clean water, healthy air and open spaces,” said Josh Tulkin, state director of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter. “Heather isn't afraid to speak her mind and stand up to special interests.”<br /><br /> Last week, the Mizeur-Coates campaign received endorsements from two women’s groups: Maryland NOW PAC and Feminist Majority. The campaign has also been supported by several other groups, including EMILY’s List and the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">###</div></blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #5:</span> SUSAN LEE FOR D16 SENATE &amp; KELLY, KORMAN, JAMGOCHIAN FOR D16 DELEGATE&nbsp; // <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: DUCHY TRACHTENBERG WEIGHING AT-LARGE COUNCIL RUN</b></u> - The Sierra Club also informed Maryland Juice that in District 16, they've endorsed Del. Susan Lee for State Senate and Del. Ariana Kelly, Marc Korman &amp; Hrant Jamgochian for the three Delegate slots. On a similar note, <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/MoCo-Politics/January-February-2014/Two-Late-Entrants-Emerge-in-Contest-for-District-16-Open-Delegate-Seats/"><i>Bethesda Magazine's</i> Lou Peck reported today</a> that former Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg has decided not to challenge Susan Lee for the State Senate seat and is instead weighing a run for MoCo Council At Large (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BETHESDA MAGAZINE</b></u>: ...Delegate Susan Lee took another step toward locking up the nomination for the seat now held by Sen. Brian Frosh, who is seeking the Democratic nod for state attorney general. Former County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg said this week that, despite “a great deal of encouragement and support from many District 16 residents, I will not be running for the…Senate seat.” Trachtenberg, who continues to weigh a bid to regain an at-large seat on the County Council, added: “My political interests have always been in Rockville, and down on Capitol Hill....” </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #6</span>: GANSLER SUPPORTS TYING MINIMUM WAGE HIKE TO CORPORATE TAX CUT&nbsp; //&nbsp; <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: SENATE PRESIDENT MIKE MILLER SENDS MIXED SIGNALS</b></u> - Earlier this month, <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2014/01/13/marylands-corporate-income-tax-would.html"><i>Baltimore Business Journal</i> reported</a> that gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler supports linking a state minimum wage increase to corporate tax cuts (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BUSINESS JOURNAL</b></u>: Senate Bill 8 was introduced by Sen. Richard Colburn, R-Caroline. Colburn is a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. The bill is one of several attempts expected this General Assembly session to reduce the state’s corporate income tax to bring it in line with neighboring states like Virginia, where the rate is 6 percent.<br /><br />Those attempts could gain traction this session because several candidates for governor have come out in favor of a tax decrease. Attorney General Douglas Gansler, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, wants to see the rate lowered to 6 percent. Gansler would tie the reduction to a hike in the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, up from the current $7.25 an hour.</blockquote>Meanwhile, in recent weeks Senate President Mike Miller made a series of telling comments about his views on a minimum wage increase. <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-01-16/news/bal-miller-dampens-prospects-for-1010-minimum-wage-20140116_1_wage-increase-minimum-wage-mike-miller"><i>The Baltimore Sun's</i> Erin Cox reported on Miller's thoughts</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: Sen. President Thomas V. Mike Miller predicted a big fight over raising the minimum wage in Maryland and publicly urged his colleagues to look for compromise.<br /><br />Miller said he doesn’t believe the proposal backed by Gov. Martin O’Malley will pass his chamber, and that while there is broad support for a wage increase, the state will have to allow different regions to have different wages. “I’m trying to find way out of dodge,” Miller told reporters, adding: “I’m telling you right now: it’s going to be a very tough sell....”<br /><br />Miller, who said he believes some wage increase will pass, criticized those jurisdictions for acting alone. “Personally, I think what Prince George’s and Montgomery County have done is a tremendous disservice to their state and their community,” Miller said. The higher wage, he said, creates a political challenge for passing a state-wide wage lower than $11.50 and it discourages chain businesses from launching new enterprises in those counties....&nbsp; </blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #7</span>: ANTHONY BROWN ENDORSES MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION PROPOSAL&nbsp; //&nbsp; <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: MARYLAND LEADS NATION IN POT ARRESTS</b></u> -&nbsp; <a href="http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-78928969/"><i>The Baltimore Sun's</i> Michael Dresser recently reported</a> that Lt. Governor Anthony Brown is endorsing a legislative proposal to remove the 90-days-in-jail penalty for marijuana possession in Maryland (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>BALTIMORE SUN</b></u>: Speaking at a Baltimore Sun Newsmaker Forum, Brown also came out strongly for decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana. But he said Maryland should wait and learn from the experience of other states before moving to full legalization of the drug.... On marijuana, Brown took a middle ground between the O'Malley administration's cautious support of the limited medical marijuana program approved last year and the legalization plan offered by Del. Heather R. Mizeur of Montgomery County, one of Brown's rivals in the June Democratic primary....</blockquote>Meanwhile, Christopher Neely of the <a href="http://gaithersburg.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/maryland-has-one-of-the-highest-rates-of-marijuana-possession-arrests_d13056ce"><i>Capital News Service</i> reported that Maryland has the unfortunate distinction</a> of being one of the top five states in the nation for marijuana arrests (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE (VIA PATCH.COM)</b></u>:&nbsp; Maryland is a state with a serious marijuana arrest problem, according to the FBI’s 2011 annual Uniform Crime Report. With 22,043 arrests for marijuana possession producing an arrest rate of 378 people per 100,000, Maryland ranked among the top five in marijuana possession arrests according to the most recent data available. This is not new for the Free State. Since 2007, Maryland has been in the top five states in marijuana possession arrest rate.<br /><br />“I have no idea why these numbers are so high,” said state Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, who is an advocate for marijuana decriminalization in Maryland. “The numbers are shocking and staggering.” Experts say the numbers are in part the result of the war on drugs being focused on petty marijuana possession arrests starting in the 1990s. Some also attribute much of the increase to then-Baltimore Mayor and now Gov. Martin O’Malley, who helped introduce both statistics driven policing and zero tolerance policies to the state.<br /><br />From 2000-2007, Maryland’s overall marijuana possession arrest rate rose by 4,916 arrests per year, or 28 percent statewide. During the same time period, Baltimore’s marijuana arrest rate surged by 3,686 arrests per year - more than 155 percent....<br /><br />But according to a recent poll conducted by Democratic-affiliated Public Policy Polling, 68 percent of Marylanders support decriminalization. Fifty-three percent support legalization similar to Colorado and Washington....&nbsp;</blockquote>In other news, a coalition of groups including the ACLU, Equality Maryland, League of Women Voters of Maryland, NAACP and more have formed <a href="http://www.marijuanapolicyinmd.org/endorsements/">a coalition to end marijuana prohibition</a>.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #8</span>: GANSLER ATTACKS ANTHONY BROWN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE CONTRACTORS</b></u> - In response to the ongoing controversy over Maryland's bungled roll-out for Obamacare enrollment, Attorney General Doug Gansler issued the following press release slamming Anthony Brown for taking thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from contractors working on the project (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE <br /><br /><b>Brown/Ulman Took Nearly $130K from Health Care Interests for Campaign, Leaving Marylanders to Foot $170 Million Bill</b><br /><br /><i>While Taxpayers Have Spent $170 million on Botched Health Exchange, Brown Reaping Campaign Contributions</i></div><br /><b>Silver Spring, MARYLAND</b> – According to campaign finance reports, the Brown/Ulman gubernatorial campaign received $45,850 in campaign contributions between 2011 to 2014 from health care interests directly associated with the Maryland Health Insurance Exchange that Brown is overseeing – in addition to $84,000 Brown has received in donations linked to the health care industry in prior years.<br /><br />A description of the contributions is below.<br /><br />“While taxpayers have spent over $170 million on a botched insurance website overseen by Lt. Governor Brown, he has been reaping nearly $130,000 from health care interests. That is outrageous. Lt. Governor Brown owes taxpayers an answer for this ethical lapse – and an apology for the state of the exchange,” said Bob Wheelock, communications director for the Gansler/Ivey campaign....<br /><br /><b>Campaign Contributions to Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman from Healthcare Interests Directly Related to Exchange</b><br /><br /><i>Friends of Anthony Brown &amp; MBHE Vendors </i><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Friends of Anthony Brown received $8,550 from vendors listed as receiving contracts from the Maryland Health Benefit Exchanges and executives or employees with those vendors. </li><li>Friends of Anthony Brown received a total $4,750 from lobbyists who currently or formerly represented companies that received contracts from the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. $2,450 came from individuals who are currently registered to lobby on behalf of vendors, and $2,300 came from individuals who had formerly been registered to lobby on their behalf. (Note that some of these lobbyists were also registered on behalf of insurance carriers on the Exchange.)</li></ul><i>&nbsp;Friends of Anthony Brown &amp; MBHE Insurance Providers </i><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Friends of Anthony Brown received $22,700 in contributions from authorized marketplace insurance carriers and their executives.&nbsp; The carriers were CareFirst, Evergreen, and Aetna.</li><li>Friends of Anthony Brown received $10,495 from lobbyists who currently or formerly represented Maryland Health Benefit Exchange insurance carriers $4,325 came from individuals who are currently registered to lobby on behalf of carriers, and $6,170 came from individuals who had formerly been registered to lobby on their behalf. (Note that some of these lobbyists were also registered on behalf of vendors contracted with the Exchange.)</li></ul></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>###</blockquote><br /></div><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #9</span>: HEATHER MIZEUR BEATING DOUG GANSLER IN POLL OF BALTIMORE CITY VOTERS?</b></u> - <a href="http://dmvdaily.com/index.php/topics/campaign-2014/item/422-brown-breaks-the-bank-while-mizeur-moves-maryland-voters"><i>DMV Daily's</i> Hassan Giordano reported on an interesting poll of Baltimore City voters</a> showing Heather Mizeur leading Doug Gansler in the Governor's race (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DMV DAILY</b></u>: In a recent DMVDaily poll of likely voters, both from the citywide voter file as well as the avid readers of this publication, the once unknown Mizeur campaign has seemingly catapulted its way into the mainstream conversation of likely victors. Polling in single digits late last year, the Mizeur/Coates campaign has gained considerable ground amongst Baltimore City voters, closing the gap with such tenacity that one has to wonder how well she will do statewide with more time to connect with voters.<br /><br />Our recent survey, asking roughly 500 area voters who they would choose for Governor if the election were held today, showed Mizeur trailing Brown by a mere three percentage points (32%-29%), while Gansler lagged far behind at 18%. And while over 20% of respondents were still undecided as to whom they would support, the fact that Mizeur has already bypassed her Montgomery County colleague Gansler, shows her campaign’s strategic success over the past few months....</blockquote><u>Note</u>: I have not seen the actual polling memo, sample or crosstabs, so I have no idea whether this was a statistically valid poll.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #10</span>: DEL. LUIZ SIMMONS SENDS ANOTHER DIRECT MAIL PIECE IN D17 SENATE RACE AGAINST CHERYL KAGAN&nbsp; //&nbsp; <span style="color: red;">PLUS</span>: WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL CRITICIZES SIMMONS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE</b></u> - Delegate Luiz Simmons sent a second direct mail piece to D17 voters regarding "mudslinging" in his State Senate battle against Cheryl Kagan (<i>see below</i>):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3HPpwEzePc/UuAIlaiXxkI/AAAAAAAAHNY/iCc6mGI1Eq8/s1600/simmons1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3HPpwEzePc/UuAIlaiXxkI/AAAAAAAAHNY/iCc6mGI1Eq8/s1600/simmons1.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqN-Nkz9Egk/UuAIlVOCohI/AAAAAAAAHNU/s4358b2T1pE/s1600/simmons2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqN-Nkz9Egk/UuAIlVOCohI/AAAAAAAAHNU/s4358b2T1pE/s1600/simmons2.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marylands-victims-of-domestic-abuse-deserve-greater-protection/2014/01/10/784ec65a-7892-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_print.html"><i>The Washington Post's</i> editorial board issued the following piece</a> highlighting Delegate Simmons' obstruction of legislation to combat domestic violence (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Maryland has long had the dubious distinction of being the only state that imposes a rigid burden of proof for victims of domestic abuse to receive a civil protection order. Past efforts to change the outdated law never got very far in a hidebound legislature, and advocates became so discouraged that they didn’t even raise the matter in recent years....<br /><br />Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery), chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and a candidate for attorney general, is sponsoring legislation that would establish a more reasonable burden of proof for victims seeking protection orders....<br /><br />Mr. Frosh expressed confidence that the reform will pass in the Senate, but the real obstacles lie in the House of Delegates, notably its Judiciary Committee. It killed similar legislation when it was last proposed in 2010. Not even the wrenching testimony of a woman whose three children were drowned after she couldn’t obtain a protective order against her estranged husband could convince the committee of the need for change. The callous, if not hostile, treatment of Amy Castillo brought justifiable criticism to the committee and its chairman, Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George’s), but it remains to be seen whether lawmakers have learned from their mistakes.<br /><br />Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Montgomery), who led the effort to kill the bill four years ago, told us he might be open to the change and has some ideas for “compromise” that he plans to discuss with Mr. Frosh. Perhaps not coincidentally, Mr. Simmons is seeking election to the Senate and is locked in a primary battle with former delegate Cheryl Kagan in which women and domestic violence issues are sure to be a focus....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #11</span>: MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE CANDIDATES COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER TO PROTECT "TEN MILE CREEK"</b></u> - An interesting environmental issue has emerged in Montgomery County's County Executive race. Activists with the "<a href="http://www.savetenmilecreek.com/the-science-in-plain-english/why-the-creek-is-important/">Save Ten Mile Creek</a>" coalition are trying to stop development that would impact a MoCo waterway that serves as a back-up water supply:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>SAVE TEN MILE CREEK</b></u>: Just outside the boundaries of Clarksburg Town Center runs one of the healthiest waterways in the Chesapeake Watershed: Ten Mile Creek. A designated drinking water supply, Ten Mile Creek flows steadily, clear and cold, and teems with fish, many different kinds of aquatic insects, salamanders and other life forms. But large commercial and residential development proposals threaten this creek and watershed. Ten Mile Creek is delivering clean, healthy water to Little Seneca Reservoir and the Potomac. We want to keep it that way now, today and tomorrow....</blockquote>Notably, this issue is becoming a key political debate ahead of the 2014 Democratic Primary, as candidates for County Executive have weighed in on the issue. Below we excerpt a <a href="http://www.savetenmilecreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CE-Leggett-Letter-on-Ten-Mile-Creek.pdf">letter from County Executive Ike Leggett</a> regarding this issue, as well as an <a href="http://dougduncan.com/?p=3003">email blast from former County Executive Doug Duncan</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>IKE LEGGETT</b></u>: As you know, protecting the environment is a priority of mine. It is for this reason I am making a commitment that the County will forego any development on the 128-acre County/Clarkwood site. Further, I have made a decision that the County will not build the proposed addition to the County Correctional Facility. Together these two properties owned by the County total over 400 acres in the Ten Mile Creek area. The commitment to forego any development on these two County properties represents a signficant reduction in impervious surface, and therefore a substantial contribution to protection the environmental resources in this watershed.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>DOUG DUNCAN</b></u>: Montgomery County is facing a major land use decision with environmental consequences that will outlive all of us by decades or centuries. Ten Mile Creek in the Clarksburg area is a County treasure - one of a very few high quality reference streams in the County. In the coming weeks, the County Council has to decide how much development to allow in the Ten Mile Creek watershed, a decision that will say a lot about our commitment to protecting our environment and our region's water supply. The Creek is like an endangered species - we value it for many reasons. If we destroy it, we will learn, to our regret, that it was truly irreplaceable.... The County Council must make this right by limiting development in the headwaters of Ten Mile Creek so that the current water quality of the Creek is maintained and that no further degradation occurs.... We can and must save Ten Mile Creek. If you agree, contact the County Council to please ask them to base their decision on this issue by supporting the policy of no further degradation to the Creek.</blockquote>For what it's worth, County Exec candidate Phil Andrews also joined Duncan and Leggett at a "Save Ten Mile Creek" event this weekend.<br /><br /><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #12</span>: DOUG DUNCAN WINS ENDORSEMENT OF MOCO FIREFIGHTERS</b></u> - Last week <a href="http://dougduncan.com/?p=2991">Doug Duncan announced the endorsement</a> of the Montgomery County firefighters union in his bid for County Executive (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><u><b>JEFFREY BUDDLE, IAFF LOCAL 1664</b></u>: As president of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1664, I am pleased to let you know that we have endorsed Doug Duncan to be the next County Executive of Montgomery County.<br /><br />Having been a career fire fighter for 15 years now, and having worked with different administrations and politicians, I know that the traits Doug brings to the table are exactly what Montgomery County needs at this point in time in order to get us back on track.<br /><br />His resolute commitment to public safety, both in the past and going forward, his vision for tomorrow’s Montgomery County, and his leadership style are what distinguish him as the clear choice in this race and made it an easy decision for us.<br /><br />Doug has been an ardent supporter of the career fire fighters since day one. He understands the importance of working together to create one of the finest fire and rescue services in the country.&nbsp; Doug knows how critical safeguarding the residents of Montgomery County is.<br /><br />Montgomery County needs a strong, invigorated leader with innovative and new ideas. More of the status quo will just simply not work and we must once again get Montgomery County moving in the right direction. It was an honor to work with Doug before and we look forward to working together again with him as the next Montgomery County Executive....</blockquote><br /><u><b><span style="color: red;">JUICE #13</span>: NARAL PRO-CHOICE MARYLAND PAC ISSUES CALL FOR CANDIDATE SURVEYS</b></u> - Maryland&nbsp; Juice received the following alert from the NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland PAC requesting candidate surveys for its endorsement process:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">PRESS RELEASE <br /><b><br /></b><b>NARAL PRO-CHOICE MARYLAND PAC</b><br /><b>Announces Endorsement Process</b></div><br /><b>SILVER SPRING, MD</b>--Today, the Political Action Committee of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland announced that they have launched a new portion of their website dedicated to preparing for the upcoming elections.<br /><br />Persons interested in the endorsement process, voting information, and volunteer opportunities should visit www.prochoicemd.org. The site will be continually updated and will include endorsed candidates when they are announced.<br /><br />The NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland Political Action Committee is the only statewide PAC dedicated solely to electing pro-choice candidates to office in Maryland. Since 1982, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland PAC has worked to elect pro-choice officials at the state and county levels.<br /><br />NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland is dedicated to ensuring that Maryland continues to be a leader in the reproductive rights movement<br /><br />To learn more about the endorsement process, please visit <a href="http://www.prochoicemd.org/elections">www.prochoicemd.org/elections</a>.<br /><br /><center>###</center></blockquote></div>http://www.marylandjuice.com/2014/01/juice-dana-beyer-vs-sen-madaleno-md-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Moon)0